June 9, 2008
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Staci Schottman, NAIA Director of Public Relations and Communications, 816-595-8116
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today Robert Catron of Georgetown College (Ky.) and Julia Vaughan of Louisiana State University in Shreveport (LSUS) the 2008 recipients of the prestigious A.O. Duer Award. The award is presented annually to a junior male and female student-athlete in any sport who has excelled in character, playing ability and scholarship. Since 1967, the A.O. Duer Award has been presented in honor of the late former NAIA executive director Al Duer who was responsible for the NAIA's role as the first collegiate organization to be fully integrated.
"The NAIA is delighted to recognize two exceptional student-athletes with the A.O. Duer Award. The award celebrates character-driven intercollegiate athletics and the dedication these individuals place on excellence in class and competition," said Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO. "Julia and Robert are wonderful representatives of NAIA student-athletes and I congratulate them both on this momentous honor."
Catron and Vaughan were selected by the NAIA Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives from a field of nominees who attend NAIA member institutions. Candidates must achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale. Georgetown and LSUS will receive a $1,000 scholarship award from Daktronics in the name of the winner. Catron and Vaughn are tremendous representatives of character-driven athletics and have experienced great success in and out of competition.
A starting linebacker for the Georgetown Tigers, Catron is a team player and well respected throughout the campus community. This past spring Catron received the "Eye of the Tiger" award for his efforts and leadership in the off-season. This fall, Catron will begin his senior campaign and Head Football Coach Bill Cronin expects continued success. A proven leader, Catron's excellence in a very demanding science major while playing football is commendable. Catron has been named Mid-South Academic All-Conference and consistently competes in such a way to make his teammates and team better.
"As a head football coach at Georgetown College for eleven seasons I have seen many outstanding student-athletes. Robert Catron ranks as one of the very best," said Cronin. "As a student, athlete or an individual Robert shows much character and class, he is extremely focused on his objectives and is a natural leader."
Joining Catron is Julia Vaughan, an outstanding women's soccer player and biology major at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Named to the Chancellor's List each semester, Vaughn is known for her dedication to community service and academic achievement. An elected member of the Health Pre-professional Honor Society and selected as the 2006-07 Chemist of the Year, Vaughn was recently accepted into the prestigious physician assistant program at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her academic accolades mirror her success on the soccer field. Vaughn is a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) offensive player of the year and this past year was named to the All Region XIII team and the GCAC All-Conference First team. She was also named to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Women's Soccer Team for two seasons.
"Julia has become a major contributor to the success of the soccer team at LSUS. Her many conference and regional awards are known across North Louisiana," said Vincent J. Marsala, LSUS Chancellor. "The LSUS faculty, staff and administrators are honored to have such an outstanding student represent our institution both in academics and athletics."
Both Catron and Vaughn represent the ideals of the NAIA scholar-athlete as evidenced by their scholarship, character, citizenship and athletic ability. To learn more about the NAIA and other national and sport specific awards visit www.naia.org.
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The Association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.
Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association's innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves. To learn more visit www.NAIA.org.
About Daktronics
Daktronics is the Official Scoreboard, Timer, Video and Message Center provider of the NAIA. Daktronics is also the exclusive statistical provider of the NAIA. Daktronics also sponsors the NAIA Scholar-Athlete Awards and provides Web casts for National Championship events. Daktronics designs, manufactures, sells and services dynamic visual communication systems for customers worldwide. Daktronics has installed tens of thousands of scoreboards and display systems in more than 70 countries since 1968 when the company was founded. Daktronics customers are typically sports organizations, businesses of all types and sizes and government entities. To learn more visit www.daktronics.com.
