Sarah Straub, a member of the women’s soccer team, and Bucky Buchanan, a member of the men’s swimming and diving team, were each awarded the second annual Coleman Lew Award, which is sponsored by Coleman Lew & Associates, Inc., a national executive search firm, and the Southern Conference, it was announced on Friday.

The award recognized 22 scholar-athletes from each of the SoCon’s 11 member institutions. Coaches, faculty athletic representatives and senior woman administrators nominated prospective candidates based on leadership, academic excellence and athletic achievement in both the college environment and the community. Athletic directors and representatives from Coleman Lew & Associates conducted one-on-one interviews with the finalists before determining the award recipients.

“These student athletes represent the very best in leadership, academic performance and athletic skill,” said Chuck Lew, managing partner of Coleman Lew & Associates.  “Our firm, as an educational partner with the Southern Conference, is proud to acknowledge these excellent leaders.”

“We are grateful to Coleman Lew & Associates for their commitment to honoring Southern Conference student-athletes,” said John Iamarino, commissioner of the SoCon.  “These young men and women represent the leadership qualities that all collegiate institutions strive to instill in their students.”

The 2007 Coleman Lew Award recipients are:

Appalachian State: Vonteena Knotts, Pierre Banks

Chattanooga: Kelsey Amundson, Stephen McDowell

College of Charleston: Sarah Straub, Bucky Buchanan

The Citadel: Alyison Woodhead, James Eason

Davidson: Kelsey Linville, Sam Morris

Elon: Carol Lilley, Eric Garren

Furman: Chibuzo Aguocha, William Middleton

Georgia Southern: Laura-Ashley Harris, Robert E. Roulhac, Jr.

UNC Greensboro: Karla Davis, DJ McCurry

Western Carolina: Raquel Ramseur, Ogden Hansford

Wofford: Kelsi Koenig, Brian Ford