March 20, 2007 
Contact: Mike Christie, Sports Information Director

USA South Announces Winter Sportsmanship Awards

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - During the 2004-2005 academic year the USA South Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee instituted a Conference-wide Sportsmanship Award.  Today the USA South is pleased to announce the Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2006-2007 winter sports season.  Averett University was chosen to receive the award for both men's and women's basketball. This is the third consecutive sportsmanship honor for the Averett men's basketball program.

There will be a Sportsmanship Award for 12 of the 14 Conference-sponsored sports. For every sport, each team member votes for the teams he/she deems to have demonstrated the best overall sportsmanship throughout the season. The team garnering the most votes will receive that sports' Sportsmanship Award. The institution that wins the most individual sport Awards will win the overall USA South Sportsmanship Trophy. The Award was developed as a result of the SAAC's commitment to maintaining a sportsmanlike environment on each of our campuses. 

A voter stated she chose Averett's women's basketball team "because they were very nice and courteous. They encouraged their players as well as complemented the other team when they did well."

One ballot stated that Averett's men's basketball team "played aggressive and fair. They were courteous to their opponents both before and after games."

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee hopes that by awarding a Sportsmanship Award, the members of the USA South will understand the importance of this issue.  It is vital that good sportsmanship be demonstrated in the arena of competition. 

Winter Sportsmanship Award Winners
Women's Basketball - Averett University
Men's Basketball - Averett University