SCAC Man of the Year

The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Man of the Year award was established prior to the 2012-13 athletics season.

The award recognizes senior student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership. 

SCAC Man of the Year - Past Winners: 

2022
Cole Thumann
Colorado College 
Swimming & Diving 
SCAC Release

Academic achievement: Physics major who graduated in May of 2022. Four-time SCAC Academic Honor Roll Honoree, 2019-22. SCAC Men's Swimming & Diving Elite 19 Award Winner, 2022. CoSIDA Academica All-American - At Large Team, 2022. CC Outstanding Male Student-Athlete / Van Diest Award, 2021-22. David and Karen Cowperthwaite Award for Excellence in Physics, 2021-22.  

Athletics achievement: SCAC Champion - 400 IM, 2020. Three-Time All-SCAC - 400 IM, 2019-20, 2022. Three-Time All-SCAC - 200 Medley and 400 Medley Relay Team, 2019-20, 2022. Colorado College Chris M Quon Award Winner, 2022. Colorado College Jerry Lear Coaches Choice Award, 2022. Team Captain, 2021-22.   

Service and leadership: President's Council Member, 2020-21. Physics Department Mentor, 2020-22. CRU - Christian Group Member, 2018-22. Little Catz, Volunteer, 2019-20. Special Olympics Volunteer, 2019-20. Habitat for Humanity Volunteer, 2019. Colorado Fourteeners Initiative at Mt. Elbert Volunteer, 2018.  

Excerpt from personal statement: "I feel deeply that, at an astonishing rate, my time at CC shaped the person that I am and my idea of the person that I want to become," said Thumann. "I am beyond grateful for the friends, teammates, mentors, and coaches that chiseled away at the form of my character. CC was undoubtedly a perfect fit for me." 

2021
Cameron Krimbill
Trinity University
Tennis
SCAC Release

Academic achievement: Accounting major who graduated in May of 2020. Three-time SCAC Academic Honor Roll Honoree, 2019-21. Three-time SCAC Academic Honor Roll Honoree, 2019-21. Trinity University Dean's List, two semesters. Four-time ITA Scholar-Athlete, 2018-21.

Athletics achievement: SCAC Co-Player of the Year, 2021. Two-time All-SCAC First Team, 2019, 2021. SCAC All-Tournament Team - Singles and Doubles, 2019. Two-time ITA All-American, 2020-21. ITA Fall Regional Singles Champion, 2019. Two-time ITA Fall Regional Semifinalists - Doubles. SCAC Singles Player of the Week, 2021. Four-time SCAC Doubles Player of the Week, 2019-21. NCAA Quarterfinalist Team Member, 2021.   

Service and leadership: SCAC All-Sportsmanship Team, 2019. Trinity University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, 2019-20. Volunteer Peer Tutor, 2019-21. St. Mary's Food Bank Volunteer, 2020-21. TU Smashers Volunteer, 2019-20. San Antonio Children's Hospital Volunteer, 2019. Tiffany's House of Hope, Inc. Volunteer, 2018.

Excerpt from personal statement: "Being a student-athlete has helped develop me into the person I am today because it has taught me to be an independent thinker yet a strong team player; a leader on the court as well as in the classroom; and a person that has to multi-task while striving for excellence in all areas of their life. While at Trinity, I have learned to put others first. Whether it be helping to tutor some of my teammates in their studies; staying after practice to work on my game; or giving back to the community through blood donations; on-campus tennis clinics or volunteering at the local food banks, I have found the importance of working well with others.”

2020
Alexis Dimanche 
Southwestern University
Tennis
SCAC Release

Academic achievement: Physics major who graduated in May of 2020. Four-time SCAC Academic Honor Roll Honoree, 2017-20. Two-time SCAC Elite 19 Award Winner for Men's Tennis, 2019 and 2020. CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team, 2019-20. Southwestern University Dean’s List, fall and winter semester, 2016-20. Recipient of three King Creativity Grants, 2017-19. Awarded Two National Science Foundation Stipends to conduct Biomedical Engineering Summer Research at Major Universities, 2018-19.

Athletics achievement: SCAC Player of the Year, 2018. SCAC Newcomer of the Year, 2017. Three-time All-SCAC First Team honors, 2017-19. SCAC All-Tournament Team - Singles, 2018. SCAC All-Tournament Team - Doubles, 2019. ITA Player to Watch in the West Region, 2018. NCAA Division III Singles Qualifier, 2018. NCAA Division III All-American, 2018. Five-time SCAC Player of the Week, 2017-19. SCAC Doubles Team of the Week, 2019. ITA National Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award, 2020.

Service and leadership: Southwestern University Men's Tennis Team Captain, 2020. SCAC Character and Community Award Recipient, 2019. Southwestern University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), 2016-18. Southwestern University Physics Club, 2017-20; Club Treasurer, 2018; Club President, 2019. Member of Kappa Alpha Order Xi Chapter, 2017-20; Treasurer, 2018; Recruiting Chair, 2019. Member of Student Foundation at Southwestern, 2017-20. Relay for Life from the American Cancer Society - Accountant, 2017. Volunteer at the Georgetown, Texas Boys & Girls Club, 2018. 

Excerpt from personal statement: "At Southwestern University, in addition to grant-based research projects, classes and on-campus work, I have not shied away from leading and participating in student organizations and further developing my leadership skills. It was most important for me to also become a leader off the court, and to serve and make a positive impact on the Southwestern community. Due to my involvement in an array of departments and organizations, I acquired a good understanding of the values and priorities of the University as well as of general campus life."

2019
Riley Schaefer 
Texas Lutheran University
Baseball
SCAC Release

Academic achievement: Accounting major who graduated in May of 2019. Graduated with concurrent bachelor's and master's degrees in Accounting in TLU's five-year program. NCAA Division III Elite 90 Award Winner, 2018. Google Cloud Academic All-America, 2018 (First Team); 2017 (Third Team). Google Cloud Academic First Team All-District, 2017-2018. Texas Lutheran University Male Scholar-Athlete-of-the-Year, 2018. Southern Collegiate Athletic Academic Honor Roll, 2015-2018. 

Athletics achievement: American Baseball Coaches Assocation (ABCA)/Rawlings Second-Team All-American, 2018. D3baseball.com West Region Player-of-the-Year, 2018. SCAC Baseball Player-of-the-Year, 2018. Led NCAA Division III in hits (95) in 2018. Two-time All-SCAC First-Team selection, 2017-2018. SCAC All-Tournament Team, 2018.

Service and leadership: HOT DAWGS Service Days, 2015-2018. Elementary School Reading Day Volunteer, 2017-2018. Eden Cross Nursing Home Volunteer, 2017-2018. TLU Baseball Leadership Council, 2017-2018. TLU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), 2015-2018. Black and Gold President's Council, 2016-2018. Alpha Lambda Delta Member, 2016-2018.

Excerpt from personal statement: "Being a part of not only the community here at TLU but the SCAC community as an athlete has allowed me to experience some amazing opportunities that I wouldn't have been afforded otherwise. From the weekend community service outings with my teammates to traveling all the way to Appleton, Wisconsin for the National Championship, I have made memories that will last a lifetime."

2018
Keenan Gumbs
Schreiner University
Basketball
SCAC Release

Academic achievement: Exercise Science major who graduated in May of 2018. CoSIDA Academic All-District, 2017-2018. CoSIDA Academic All-American, 2017-2018. Southern Collegiate Athletic Academic Honor Roll, 2015-2018. 

Athletics achievement: Schreiner University Male Athlete-of-the-Year; 2017-2018. D3hoops.com All-Region, 2017-2018. NABC All-District, 2017-2018. NABC All-American, 2017-2018. Two-time All-SCAC selection, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. Two-time SCAC All-Tournament Team, 2017 and 2018. SCAC Tournament MVP, 2018. SCAC Men's Basketball Player-of-the-Year, 2017-2018.

Service and leadership: Alpha Chi Honor Society. Kappa Mu Epsion Math Honor Society. National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Phi Chapter). Schreiner University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Vice-President, 2016; President, 2016-2018. Men’s Basketball team captain, 2016-17 and 2017-18. SCAC Character & Community Award, 2018.

Excerpt from personal statement: "Being a leader and being involved on campus and the community showed me another side of leadership, which is servitude and sacrifice. Sacrificing my own time to help improve life for others that are less fortunate or those that don’t have much of a voice on campus, humbled me and showed me another facet of leadership."

2017
Soren Frykholm
Colorado College
Soccer
SCAC Release

Academic achievement:
Romance Languages major who graduated in May of 2017. NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, 2017. Jim McKay Scholarship, 2016-2017. CoSIDA Academic All-District, 2015-2016. NSCAA Academic All-District, 2015-2016. NSCAA First-Team Scholar All-America, 2016. Southern Collegiate Athletic Academic Honor Roll, 2014-2017. 

Athletics achievement: Colorado College Male Athlete-of-the-Year; 2016-2017. All-SCAC, 2015 and 2016. NSCAA All-West Region, 2015 and 2016. D3soccer.com and NSCAA All-American, 2016. 

Service and leadership: 
Recipient of Colorado College E.C. Van Diest Graduating Senior Award (for character, scholarship and citizenship), 2017. Member of Phi Sigma Iota Honor Society, English teacher in Brazilian favela, 2016. Tutor at Colorado Mountain College GED class, 2013 and 2014. Men’s Soccer team captain, 2016.

Excerpt from personal statement: "I am so grateful for the time I spent at Colorado College. It has inspired me to be a more kind, grateful, and conscientious human being, and I am eager to use my experiences as a catalyst for continued growth. I've had so many people support me and advocate for me in my life. I hope to honor their love and generosity by living a life of paying it forward. It's no easy task, but I have many great role models to follow."

2016
Madison Ross
Austin College
Football
SCAC Release

Academic achievement: Business Administration major who graduated in May of 2016. First Team CoSIDA Academic All-America, 2014-2015. CoSIDA Academic All-District Team, 2014-2015. Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Chi Honors Societies. Southern Collegiate Athletic Academic Honor Roll, 2012-2015. 

Athletics achievement: Two-time winner of Austin College/Pete Cawthon Male Athlete-of-the-Year, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. Austin College/Tim Jubela Most Outstanding Freshman Male Athlete, 2012-2013. Two-time All-SCAC running back, 2014-2015. SCAC Newcomer-of-the-Year, 2012.

Service and leadership: Children's Church Worker/Volunteer, 2012. Volunteer with Sory Elementary School, 2014-2015. Volunteer at Sherman Food Bank, 2016. SCAC Character & Community honoree, 2015.

Excerpt from personal statement: "I had the privilege to read to elementary children with disabilities. To see children who not only could not play or run like me, but also struggle with daily activities was very eye-opening. Despite their disabilities, they all had big smiles. I went away from that experience with a different outlook on life. No matter how hard things get, there is always something I can be grateful for."

2015
Aaron Skinner
Trinity University
Tennis
SCAC Release

Academic achievement: Biology and Environmental Science major who graduated in May of 2015. National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Trinity University President's Scholar, 6x member of Trinity Dean's Honors List. ITA Scholar Athlete, 2012-2014. Hixon Endowment Summer Research Fellowship in Environmental Studies, 2014. Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll, 2012-2015. 

Athletics achievement: ITA Doubles champ, 2014. ITA Singles champ, 2012. All-SCAC, 2013-2014. ITA Doubles Regional finalist, 2011. Member of NCAA third-place team, 2014. Member of NCAA quarterfinals team, 2013, 2015. 

Service and leadership: Research associate, 2014-2015. Volunteer aid with Children's House Montsessori School, 2007-2008. Volunteer with Antigua Exotic Rescue Center for Reptiles and Amphibians, 2013. Collected data for Ostional Wildlife National Refuge, 2013. Volunteered with social service trips to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, 2009-2010. Volunteer with Centro Latino, 2009. Rush and Social chair of Phi Sigma Chi, 2013-2015. Trinity sophomore leadership fellow, 2012.

Excerpt from personal statement: "I try to lead by example in all aspects of my life. On the court, I inspire my teammates by working the hardest. In the classroom, I arouse curiosity about the biological world in my classmates. Most importantly, I model how to live a kind and compassionate life."

2014
Kaleb Roush
Colorado College
Swimming
SCAC Release

Academic achievement: Biochemistry major who graduated in May of 2014. Member of Phi Betta Kappa. CoSIDA Academic All-District, 2014. Goldwater Scholar, 2013. Otis A. and Margaret T. Barnes Scholar in Chemistry, 2014. Outstanding Senior Award in Biochemistry, 2014. Jerry Lear Coaches' Choice Award, 2012. SCAC Character & Community Athlete of the Week, 2014. Dean's List, 2011-2014. Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll. 

Athletics achievement: All-SCAC (400 IM), 2013. Holder of two CC school records (400 IM, 1,000 free). Team captain, 2013-2014. 

Service and leadership: Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Representative, 2013-2014. Blue Key Honor Society member, 2011-2014. First-Year Experience Mentor, 2012-2013. Summer Scholar Researcher at the University of Rochester (investigating novel HIV vaccination techniques), CC student researcher investigating the use of nano-particles as biological sensors. Colorado College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, 2011-2014. SAAC Vice-President, 2013-14. SCAC SAAC Representative, 2012-2013. Co-chair Hour of Power fundraiser, 2013. Organizer for Quony Cup (American Cancer Society fundraiser), 2014. Volunteer swim instructor w/ Little Catz, 2014. 

Excerpt from personal statement: "(My) experiences (have) taught me that scientists cannot exist removed from the world in their laboratories. To be effective, a dialogue that extends beyond scientific passion must exist with the community. A scientist must grasp a wider context of his field so that communication can occur with people in other disciplines. I believe this perspective is necessary in light of today's groundbreaking scientific discoveries."

2013
Nick Lammers
Colorado College
Soccer
SCAC Release

Academic achievement: Physics and Philosophy major who graduated in May of 2013. CoSIDA Academic All-American, 2012. Wilber Weiss Memorial Prize, Physics Department, 2013. Cowperwaite Award for Excellence in Physics, 2013. Engeln Scholar Athlete, 2012. Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Athletics achievement: SCAC Defensive Player-of-the-Year, 2012. 2-time NSCAA All-West Region selection, 2011-2012. All-SCAC First Team selection, 2012. All-SCAC Second Team selection, 2011. CC Most Valuable Player, 2012. Olson (CC) Defensive Player-of-the-Year, 2011-2012. CC Most Improved Player, 2010.

Service and leadership: Volunteer coach with local little league football team, 2009-2012. Animal Defense League volunteer, 2010. Volunteer at kindergarten in Cuzco, Peru, 2011.

Excerpt from personal statement: "While I developed a number of ‘marketable’ abilities as a double major in Physics and Philosophy – from writing skills to mathematical acumen, argument analysis to quantitative problem solving – the lessons I value most from each concern the importance of living curiously, of always questioning, of constantly examining and reexamining the principles upon which I build my life, and by which I understand the world."