Wingate's Dan and Hinson Receive 2003-04 South Atlantic Conference Presidents Awards
June 11, 2004

ROCK HILL, SC – A pair of highly successful student-athletes from Wingate University have been named the 2003-04 South Atlantic Conference Presidents Award recipients, following a vote of the league’s Faculty Athletics Representatives at the annual SAC Business Meetings in Asheville, N.C.

Senior men’s tennis player Marius Dan and senior volleyball player Lindsay Hinson, both from Wingate University, are this year’s South Atlantic Conference Presidents Award recipients.

Senior men’s tennis player Marius Dan and senior volleyball player Lindsay Hinson are this year’s honorees. This is only the second time in league history one school has swept the male and female awards in the same year.

The SAC Presidents Award is considered one of the most prestigious awards the conference awards to its student-athletes. It exemplifies the finest combined qualities of excellence in athletics, academics and community leadership. During the year, the South Atlantic Conference recognizes 14 Scholar-Athletes, representing each of the conference-sponsored sports. The top male and female SAC Scholar-Athletes from each represented member school are then nominated for the Presidents Award.

Hinson was a four-year starter for Wingate. Last season, she averaged 1.47 kills per game and 2.95 digs per game, while hitting .262. She has been a two-time SAC Player of the Week during her career and was selected to the Food Lion SAC All-Tournament team after helping to lead the Bulldogs to the tournament title last season.

Hinson graduated with a 4.0 GPA as a Biology/Pre-Med major. She will attend medical school at Florida State University next year. She received a NCAA post-graduate scholarship. Hinson also received the H.K. Helms Award at Wingate’s May commencement, presented to the senior achieving the highest GPA.

She has been named to the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll and the Wingate President’s List every semester. She is a member of the Alpha Chi and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies and was enrolled in the Wingate University honors program. She was a first team Academic All America® selection in 2003 and a third team pick in 2002.

On campus and in the community, she was on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team and a member of the Student Government Association. She was a peer advisor to entering freshmen and a women’s bible study leader. She has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics, a local retirement home and a local middle school (as a tutor).

“Lindsay Hinson is one of the most impressive young ladies I have ever met,” said Dr. Greg Bell, Faculty Athletic Representative for Wingate University. “I would say we need more people like Lindsay Hinson in the medical profession. She has been a great student and a fine athlete here at Wingate. She will be missed next year.”

Dan was a three-time Scholar Athlete for men’s tennis. He also graduated in May with a degree in Business Administration and a 3.968 GPA. He was on the President’s List for seven semesters and the Dean’s List for one term. He was a two-time Academic All-District selection (2002, 2004).

On the court, Dan went 11-8 this season, playing primarily No. 2 singles. Against conference opponents, he went 5-1. He had a 10-5 record in doubles. He was a three-time selection to the All-SAC team, compiling a career singles record of 38-32.

On campus and in the community, Dan was president of the International Student Organization and one of two Wingate students who served on the Academic Affairs Committee. He serves on the NCAA Division II National Student Athlete Advisory Committee, as well as the Wingate and South Atlantic Conference SAAC groups.

He was a Presidential Ambassador and a Resident Assistant. He served as a tutor at the Academic Resource Center and was selected a Leadership Fellow at Wingate, a program that identifies campus leaders. He was president of the Alpha Chi honor society and vice president of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society.

“Marius Dan is, in my opinion, the best male student-athlete Wingate University has ever had,” Bell said.