VERMILLION, S.D. - Two student-athletes defined by their hard work and commitment to teamwork were named The University of South Dakota's Scholar Athletes of the Year during the Howling Pack Student-Athlete Awards Ceremony on Sunday at the Wayne Knutson Theatre in the College of Fine Arts on the USD campus. Mara McGill, a senior from Beresford, S.D., and Matt Murphy, a senior from Rapid City, S.D., were honored.

During the awards ceremony, student members of USD's SAAC organization along with athletic faculty representative Christina Keller, and assistant athletic director Jill Theeler made the award presentations. Ben Ries, a former Coyote men's basketball student-athlete from Norfolk, Neb., served as master of ceremonies.

A total of 38 student-athletes received awards during the ceremony. These awards recognized the student-athletes' academic and athletic achievement and community service. In addition, USD Athletics and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee recognized outstanding teams, performances and coaches. The four conference champions (men's indoor track and field, men's outdoor track and field and men's basketball and women's track and field) were honored as were student-athletes with 3.0 to 4.0 grade point averages (GPA).

The Scholar Athlete of the Year Award, which was presented to McGill and Murphy, is the most prestigious awarded by the Athletics Department. The USD coaches nominated student-athletes for the male and female Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards, which consisted of seniors with a 3.2 GPA or better and a record of success in academics, athletics and community service.

The selection of McGill, a senior from Beresford, S.D.; and Murphy, a senior from Rapid City, S.D., as USD's Scholar Athletes of the Year was made by vote of the USD Athletic Board of Control.

"I am honored to have received this award and shocked that it was given to me," said McGill, who has been accepted into the USD Sanford School of Medicine and will begin classes in the fall. "There are so many talented, smart and extremely athletic women on this campus that are just as deserving of this award. It is humbling to go back and look at the other women athletes that have received this award in the past because they are people to I look up to and respect," said McGill, who will graduate with a 4.0 grade point average in biology/pre-medicine and as a member of the U's Honors Program.

"I have been part of so much success but I also have enjoyed the time and friendship with my teammates and coaches. Team trips will be memorable," said McGill, who plans to become a primary care physician and specialize in pediatrics or internal medicine.

Murphy, who has been accepted into the USD School of Law, also noted how honored he was to receive the recognition. "I know how many great student athletes we have here at USD so I was honored to be recognized as one of the best," said Murphy. "Every day I take solace in the fact that I had the best time of my life being a Coyote - both on and off the field," said Murphy, who graduated with a 3.899 grade point average in business.

Murphy was a defensive line stalwart on USD's nationally-ranked football team which had a 9-4 record, advanced to the DII playoffs for the first time in 20 years and finished the season ranked 13th in the country. Murphy, who had a minor in criminal justice, was a second team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American in fall 2006 and twice was named to the NCC Commissioners Academic Football Honor Roll. He was an Academic All-NCC selection for two consecutive years (2005, 2006).

A team captain for the Coyote football team, Murphy recorded 16 tackles, including six solo stops, four tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks for the top-ranked defense in the NCC in 2006. Led by Murphy, the Coyote defense limited opponents to 73.8 yards rushing, which ranked fifth nationally. Murphy, who received the USD Bulldog Award for work and dedication, started 19 games and played in 45 during his career at USD, at which time the Coyotes had a 32-14 overall record and won an NCC title in 2005. His career numbers include 51 career tackles, six quarterback sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

Murphy, who graduated Magna Cum Laude in December 2006, was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma (business honor society), and has received academic scholarships from both the USD business and law schools. He was involved in community service as a student-athlete, including serving with the Vermillion Cleanup Day, the Punt, Pass and Kick competition as well as helping coordinate a field day for Jolly Elementary in Vermillion, S.D. A two-time participant in the Coyotepoly Food Drive, Murphy also participated in the Dance Marathon fundraiser for charity.

McGill has been one of the leaders of a South Dakota Women's Track and Field squad that won two consecutive NCC Triple Crowns (titles in track and field and cross country in same year) and is going for its fourth straight NCC outdoor crown this weekend in Duluth, Minn.

A five-time national provisional qualifier and the 2006 NCC heptathlon champion, McGill finished second in the NCC heptathlon this spring. She has NCAA DII provisional qualifying marks in both the 100-meter hurdles and the heptathlon.

A recipient of the Mickelsen Scholarship, she has been inducted into the most prestigious undergraduate honor society in the U.S. - the Phi Beta Kappa society. A year ago, she received the Nelson Shield Award from the USD College of Arts and Sciences as the junior with the highest GPA and she has made the Dean's List every semester at USD. McGill was named to the 2006 NCC Commissioner's Academic Indoor Track and Field Honor Roll and selected to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII Women's Track and Field/Cross Country second team in 2006 as well as the 2006 U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic DII Squad.

Active in undergraduate research, McGill has received a research fellowship from an EPSCoR grant and conducted research in the Basic Biomedical Sciences lab. A mentor to fellow student-athletes, she has been an academic advisor for women's track for two years. She has volunteered at the Newman Center, offering free child care. Mara has also worked at the Welcome Table, a community dinner on Mondays for disadvantaged people in Vermillion. She has been active with the Adopt-A-Grandparent program (pairing students with residents from a local nursing home) and working with USD's Special Olympics Field Day.

Both Murphy and McGill credit their coaches for helping them out.

"All of my college coaches were mentors but a few like Jim Glogowski, Brent Kramer and Mike Freidel all had positive and lasting impressions on my career and my life," said Murphy. "I want to thank them for their guidance," he said.

"My coach (Lucky Huber) has been a great help to me on the track but academically as well, said McGill. "Having Lucky as a coach has been great because he cares so much about this program and about his athletes that it is hard not to be excited and fired up about track and field. He is also someone I could go to who would make sure that I was taking the right classes and that kind of thing because of his position at the academic advising office," McGill said.

Other awards included: Coyote Character Awards: A total of 17 student athletes received Coyote Character Awards which are based on sportsmanship, character, leadership and integrity.

The honorees included Tyler Evans, Stewart, Minn., football; Carrie Gonsor, Pierre, S.D., women's indoor track and field: Stacy Gould, Sioux Falls, S.D., outdoor women's track and field; Amy Lindner, Sioux Falls, S.D., women's cross country; Shannon Daly, Groton, S.D., women's basketball; Amanda Nicol, East London, South Africa, tennis; Carla Neppl, Omaha, Neb., soccer; Brian Bye, Gayville, S.D., men's golf; Karrie Plate, Vermillion, S.D., women's golf; Dylan Grimsley, Sioux City, Iowa, men's basketball; Emilie Kluth, Columbus, Neb., women's swimming and diving; Eric Thorsen, Eden Prairie, Minn., men's swimming and diving; Colte Haines, White Lake, S.D., men's indoor track and field; Scott Hargens, Sioux Falls, S.D., outdoor track and field; Matt Yaggie, Mission Hill, S.D., men's cross country; Amber Kobus, Columbus, Neb., volleyball; and Krystal Kirwan, Omaha, Neb., softball. SAAC Rookie of the Year: The SAAC presented this award to both a male and female, which honors an outstanding freshman or transfer who has completed their first season of competition at USD. The honorees included Tyler Cain, men's basketball; and Jeana Hoffman, women's basketball.

Cain of Rochester, Minn., helped lead the USD men's BB team to its 12th NCC title and a berth in the NCAA DII playoffs. A starter in 25 games, Cain helped USD record a 23-7 with a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game while ranking second in steals (46) and sixth in scoring (6.8 ppg). Cain, who was named the NCC Freshman of the Year, led USD in blocked shots this year with his 64 swats setting the school single-season record. Cain was the only player in the NCC to rank in the top-10 in both blocks and steals. He led USD in field goal percentage by connecting at a 60.0% clip, and had two double-doubles this year.

Hoffman, a junior from Mitchell, S.D., was named the NCC's Newcomer of the Year as well as to the 11-member All-NCC squad. Named the MVP of the Cougar Thanksgiving Classic at Lakewood, Colo., Hoffman, who started 29 games, averaged 11.7 points (11th, NCC) and 12.4 ppg in league play. Hoffman also produced 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.83 steals (8th, NCC) per game. She averaged a team-best 2.45 three point shots per game, which ranked second in the league in all games. She finished NCC play ranked first in made three-point field goals per game at 2.58. Hoffman, who also had five 20-point games at USD, reached double digits in 18 games and her 71 three-point field goal ranks sixth on USD's all-time season chart. SAAC Unsung Hero Award: This honor, which recognizes the student-athlete who best exemplifies an unsung hero, was presented to Josh Jeffery of Spearfish, S.D., and Emilie Kluth of Columbus, Neb. Jeffery and Kluth were recognized for their team approach and their dedicated to their teammates. Both Jeffery and Kluth have put their heart and soul into their respective sport.

Jeffery has quietly helped lead the South Dakota men's track and field squad to consecutive NCC titles. Jeffery was a key member of the NCC outdoor squad and member of the 4x400-meter relay team that clinched a come-from-behind title at the NCC indoor championships. He also earned All American honors as the leadoff leg of the distance medley relay at indoor nationals.

Kluth, a junior, has been one of the leaders of the women's swimming and diving teams. An English major, Kluth had her best season at USD, helping the Coyotes to a third-place team finish at the NCC meet and ninth place at nationals. She made nationals for the second straight year but this time came home with an All-American honor by finishing fifth in the 3-meter diving competition. Kluth also earned honorable mention All American honors in 1M diving at nationals. SAAC Courage Award: Three USD students athletes, Terry Liggins, Ashley Robinette and Ashley Weyers, were named recipients of the SAAC's Courage Award, which is presented to a student athlete(s) who has overcome adversity or battled through unusual circumstances.

Liggins, a junior from Omaha, Neb., has overcome numerous challenges and obstacles to become one of the leaders on the USD campus. Liggins was elected the Student Government President this season. A three-time All-American, Liggins finished second in the 60-meter hurdles at the 2007 DII indoor nationals this winter. He owns three USD school records in the hurdles and last spring finished second in the 100-meter hurdles at the DII nationals.

Robinette, a junior from South Sioux City, Neb., wears a big smile every day despite obvious pain that comes from several injuries suffered over the three years at USD. Robinette's love for the game of basketball is undeniable as she persisted through physical challenges to play another season for the women's basketball team. One of the leaders of the women's basketball team, Robinette played a key starting role in helping the Coyotes to the NCAA DII playoffs this year and earn national rankings in a 22-9 season. Robinette started 28-of-29 games, averaged 10.2 points in league games and finished with 12 double digit scoring games.

Weyers, a sophomore from Lincoln, Neb., has overcome two surgeries to be a major contributor for the women's softball squad. Last year, she played in 35 of 49 games for USD and had the second highest batting average on the team. This season, she was again told that she needed surgery and has undergone extensive rehabilitation. A co-captain for the Coyotes, she played 53-of-54 games, hitting .276 with a .357 on base percentage. SAAC Play of the Year: Two plays were recognized including Scott Hargens and the winning 4x400-meter relay which clinched the indoor NCC men's track and field title; and the football team's unlikely 87-yard drive and rally on Dakota Day which ended in a TD pass from Noah Shepard to Brooks Little.

USD has won a total of 17 men's track and field championships but its sixth indoor title will be forever part of Coyote lore. Throughout the meet, which was held at the DakotaDome in February, Minnesota State held a significant advantage over the Coyotes. However, the Coyotes were receiving points from several individuals in a range of events to chip away at MSU's advantage. When the Coyotes finished 1-2-3 (Tyler Wetering, Tony Turgeon, Matt Yaggie) in the 3K race, the final event of the day - the 4x400-meter relay would determine the outcome of the meet. In the Coyotes' magical and decisive 4x400-meter relay, the team of Tyler Williamson, Ben Oberle, Josh Jeffery and Scott Hargens ran the race of their lives. Hargens brought the baton the NCC title home by passing an MSU runner in the final 200 yards and sprinting to the win.

In one of the most memorable homecoming football games in school history, wide receiver Brooks Little caught a game-winning five-yard TD pass from quarterback Noah Shepard in the final 15 seconds to give USD a come-from-behind 10-7 win over Central Washington. In the game-winning drive, USD drove the ball 87 yards in eight plays to win the game. Before a record homecoming crowd of 10,255, the 14th-ranked Coyotes won its sixth straight homecoming game. Shepard, who had fumbled on the Coyotes previous possession in the fourth quarter (2:10 to play), engineered his first career game-winning drive which began with just 1:36 on the clock. On top of that, USD had just one timeout. Despite those long odds, Shepard led the offense down the field. He had three runs for 44 yards and passed for 28 yards by completing all three of his passes during the 87-yard, eight-play drive that took just 1:21 to complete. USD also received 24 yards rushing from senior All-American Stefan Logan (Miami, Fla.) on the drive. Interestingly, five of the eight plays of the drive were running plays.

Team Community Service Award: The USD Women's Soccer Team, coached by Becky Heiberger, earned the SAAC Community Service Award for its work with several service efforts, including Habitat for Humanity, Woodland Center and the Vermillion Youth Soccer Building Blocks Program. SAAC Freshman of the Year: Gina Baldwin, a freshman from Mitchell, S.D., was selected by the SAAC for athletic achievement, academic achievement and community service. Baldwin played in 91 games and was second on the team with set assists with 380. She exhibited outstanding leadership and a strong work ethic during her first season as a Coyote. Baldwin, a business major, has earned selection to the Dean's List, was involved in SAAC activities and helps out with volleyball camps. SAAC Sophomore of the Year Award: Stacy Bjorlie of Austin, Minn., was named the SAAC's Sophomore of the Year for athletic achievement, academic performance and community service.

Bjorlie of the USD Women's Swimming and Diving Team is a six-time All-American and one of the fastest swimmers in the NCC. A health services administration major from Austin, Minn., Bjorlie had another big season for the Coyotes, helping lead USD to third-place at the NCC championships and ninth at nationals. She received three All-American honors at nationals including a fourth place finish in the 50 freestyle, a race she led before being edged at the wall.

Earlier she set a school mark of 23.24 in the 50 free at the NCC Conference Championships. She was All American as a member of the 200 medley relay that was fifth and the 200 freestyle that captured eighth at nationals. Bjorlie also earned honorable mention All-American honors on the 12th place 400 free relay and the ninth place 400 medley relay at nationals. SAAC Junior of the Year: Krystal Kirwan of the USD Women's Softball team was named the outstanding junior by SAAC. Kirwan of Omaha, Neb., has exhibited strong leadership skills and exhibited an outstanding work ethic during her time at USD. One of USD's top students, Kirwan, an English major with a 4.0 GPA, recently received the Nelson Shield Award as the U's top junior (GPA) in the College of Arts and Sciences. She has been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's most prestigious academic honorary society for undergraduates in the U.S. A third baseman on the Coyotes' softball squad, Kirwan has started the past 163 consecutive games for the Coyotes.

A team co-captain, she was second on the team with a .297 batting average in 60 games. She finished the season with 58 hits, a team-high 42 runs and was tied for a team-high seven home runs. Kirwan is involved in the U's Honors Program and has been named to the Dean's List five times as well as earning NFCA All-Academic team honors. Krystal is involved in the Vermillion Literacy Project, and has volunteered as a clinician at all USD hitting and youth skills clinics during the past 3 years. SAAC's Senior of the Year: McGill. SAAC Coach of the Year: South Dakota Head Football Coach Ed Meierkort received the honor. Coach Meierkort led his team to a 9-4 record and to the second round of the NCAA DII playoffs. The Coyotes, which won nine games for the third straight season, earned an invitation to the postseason playoffs for the first time since 1986. Meierkort led the Coyote squad, which ranked as high as eighth in the AFCA Poll and finished 13th. The Coyotes ranked fifth in the nation in total offense, fourth in rushing and was fifth in rushing defense in DII. This past season, Meierkort's team had two Academic All-Americans, a Harlon Hill finalist as DII Player of the Year for the second straight season, Rimington Award recipient, three All-Americans and 10 All-NCC performers. SAAC Outstanding Team of the Year Award: USD Men's Track and Field Team received the award as the athletic team that best excelled in athletic achievement, academic achievement and community service.

The track and field team won the NCC Outdoor title last spring and finished fourth at the NCAA DII meet. At that competition, Sam Pribyl won a national title in the pole vault, becoming USD's 15th individual champion. Beyond that the team had four other All-Americans, including Terry Liggins, Rico Hatter, Dan Tolsma and Mark Liebl. Liebl, Tolsma and Liggins all finished second in their respective events at the nationals, which is a first for the Coyotes to have four individuals place first or second in four individual events.

The Coyote track and field squad won its second straight NCC crown by rallying to win the 2007 NCC Indoor title with an unbelievable final day performance. The Coyotes finished ninth at the DII meet at the 2007 indoor nationals with Liggins finishing second in the 60-meter hurdles. The team also made significant contributions in service by working a Special Olympics camp and much more. Carl B. "Rube" Hoy Award: The Hoy Award recipients included Heidi Muellenberg, a senior women's track and field standout from Redfield, S.D., and Tim Dacy, a senior football player from Gregory, S.D. The Hoy honor, which was presented by former USD alumni director and professor Nancy McCahren, recognizes outstanding athletic and academic achievement.

Muellenberg, who owns a 3.829 GPA in psychology, is a seven-time All-American. Muellenberg was selected to the NCC Commissioner's Academic Indoor Track and Field Honor Roll. Named to the 2006 U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic DII Squad, she was a member of both the 4x100 and 4x400m relay teams that set school and state of S.D. records and earned All-American honors at the outdoor nationals in 2006. This spring she led the Coyotes to top-six finishes in two relays at the Drake Relays. She has served as the academic captain for track and field and served as president of the Pre-PA Club. Muellenberg, who has been the Dean's List at USD in seven of eight semesters, has been accepted into USD's PA school.

Dacy was a four-year starter who helped lead the USD football team to a 32-14 record in his four years. He was part of the 2005 NCC conference champions and the 2006 squad that was invited and won an NCAA playoff game for the first time in 20 years. This past season, Dacy had 53 tackles, three tackles for loss and two interceptions. He finished his career with 10 interceptions and had 204 career tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss. He is a health, physical education and recreation major. John Van Why Award: Senior Stefan Logan of Miami, Fla., was selected the Van Why Award recipient as USD's Senior Male Athlete of the Year. Logan is the most decorated football player ever at USD. Logan, who received five first or second team All-American honors in 2006, had nine overall (four in 2005) postseason All-American football honors during his career at USD. He also earned two All-American honors in track and field. He was one of the eight finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II College Football Player of the Year,

Logan finished the season with 1,707 yards rushing and averaged 131.3 yards per carry which ranked ninth in Division II. He ranked third nationally in all purpose yards with 205.4 per game. His 2006 total of 2,670 all purpose yards ranked second in Division II and is seventh on the NCAA Division II's single season all-time chart. Logan owns 15 USD school records including career rushing and all purpose yards. He surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for fourth straight season, tying an NCAA record held by many and becoming the first back ever in the North Central Conference to accomplish that feat. Logan, who was selected the NCC's Most Valuable Offensive Back, is the third player in league history to earn All-NCC honors for all four seasons of his career. He owns or has tied three NCAA Division II records. Logan ranks seventh all-time in NCAA Division II with 7,770 all purpose yards and 11th all-time in Division II rushing with 5,968 yards.

Catie Tobin Award: Muellenberg was named the recipient as the Senior Women's Athlete of the Year.

Col. Robert F. Wales Award: Richard Grasser of Sioux Falls, S.D., presented the Wales Award honorees. The Wales Scholarship honors student-athletes from South Dakota who have achieved in the classroom, community and competition. Colonel Wales' generosity included leaving the USD Athletic Department in excess of $500,000 that is now used each year for scholarships for outstanding student athletes from South Dakota. The recipients included Murphy and Muellenberg; Mary Anderson, Rapid City, S.D.; Jenna Hoffman and Jeana Hoffman, Mitchell, S.D.; Tom Schroeder, Miller, S.D.; Joey White, Crooks, S.D.; Brooks Little and Dustin Little, Castlewood, S.D.; Amy Duba, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Heather Hult, Davis, S.D.; and Kelsey Maloney, Sioux Falls, S.D.