Mars Hill University's Zac Brown Named Man of the Year

MHU and West Stanly High Alumnus Takes Top Conference Honor

Mars Hill, NC (07/16/2018) — The South Atlantic Conference named Mars Hill University baseball player Zac Brown its 2017-18 Man of the Year.

Brown, a senior mathematics major from Albemarle, N.C., graduated in May from Mars Hill with a 3.75 GPA. A four-time SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and Mars Hill Dean's List selection, Brown was a University Marshal in 2017 and was named the MHU athletics Man of the Year in 2017-18.

Mars Hill head baseball coach Aaron Rembert said, "What a great honor and achievement for Zac Brown. Zac has excelled and been a leader on the field, in the classroom, and in the community for four years. He has embraced the student-athlete experience and gotten so much out of his time while he has been at MHU. He is a great ambassador for this university and we were so honored to have him in our program."

On the diamond, Brown was a two-time All-SAC selection, earning All-Defensive team honors in 2017 and 2018. He was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Gold Glove Team as the only Division II selection in 2017. He finished the 2018 season ranked fifth in the SAC in ERA (3.93) and strikeouts (63). He also holds the Mars Hill records for innings pitched, pitching decisions, pickoffs, season strikeouts, and career strikeouts, and is second in win/loss percentage. Brown finished his career for the Lions placing first in innings pitched (259.2), strikeouts (219), pitching decisions (33), and pickoffs (21). He ranks second in wins (19) and win-loss percentage (.594).

Brown also was very active off the field, serving as the president of the Mars Hill Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a math tutor, and a member of the Faculty Athletics Committee. He also volunteered with the Lord's Harvest Program at Mars Hill Baptist Church, was a member of the Forge Men's Bible Study, and volunteered for several projects with Mars Hill Elementary School. Zac was also very active in planning and organizing the first ever Lion Choice Awards in the spring of 2018. The hour-long event saw 12 awards presented and recognized 60 senior athletes for their dedication and contributions to Mars Hill athletics. The night, put together by the Mars Hill University athletic department and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), celebrated achievement and success by all of Mars Hill's student-athletes.

Athletic director David Riggins said, "I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award. Zac has been a leader on his team, a leader on our campus, and a leader in his community. He is a Man of the Year in every sense of the award."

Other awards announced Monday by the conference were Wingate University cross country and track and field runner Valerie Griesche, banned SAC Woman of the Year, and Lenoir-Rhyne University track and field athlete Haylea Salamon, named the SAC International Woman of the Year.

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