Release: May 4, 2003 Clarksville, Ark.-Aaron Coats was named the 2002-2003 Male Athlete of the Year at the University of the Ozarks.
The Athlete of the Year award is given to one male and one female student who excels athletically and academically while demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities. Coats, a member of the men’s soccer team, led the Eagles to a 13-7-0 record this season and an appearance in the American Southwest Conference tournament. This season, the 5-10, 155-pound defender from Boise, Idaho, was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Central Region second team, All-American Southwest Conference team and ASC All-East Division first team. He is a three-time All-East Division first team performer and received the East Division Defensive Player of the Year in 2001. He holds the school and conference record in career games played (82). He has been a member of the ASC All-Academic team for three seasons. Coats graduated Cum Laude with a degree in political science. “Both of our athletes have excelled in the classroom and in their respective sports,” said athletic director Jack Jones. “Each has met the criteria of being a true student-athlete as they have had success academically and athletically. Their skill and leadership also helped their teams to advance to post-season play. Their personal accomplishments and honors prove their worth as being named male and female athlete of the year and have set a high standard for our other athletes to follow.”
Topics: Athletics