Carlow's Zachary Bryan chosen for Bill Melton Champion of Character Award
FLORENCE, Ky. -- Carlow University men's basketball junior Zachary Bryan has been chosen as the male recipient of the River States Conference Bill Melton Champion of Character Award. The award annually selects one male and one female student-athlete in the conference who is recognized for excellence in academics, athletics and the embodiment of the NAIA Champions of Character values.
Bryan, a native of Irwin, Pa., is a team captain for the Celtics. He started all 30 games at point guard this past season, the only Carlow player to start every game. A biology major specializing in Carlow's perfusion technology program, Bryan carries a 3.4 grade-point average. His averages on the court during 2016-17 were 7.9 points, 3.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game.
The RSC's Bill Melton Champion of Character Award is modelled after the NAIA's Dr. Leroy Walker Award, of the of the most prestigious awards in the national association. It is named for former RSC (then called KIAC) Commissioner Bill Melton, and it promotes and recognizes the core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program: Respect, Responsbility, Integrity, Servant Leadership and Sportsmanship.
Nominated by their institution, candidates must be at least a junior with a 3.0+ GPA. Other considerations for the award are campus and community leadership, embracing the five core values and athletic achievement.
Byran was the first-ever recruit for Carlow men's basketball, a program that was started in 2014-15. According to Celtics' head coach Tim Keefer, Bryan, "sets a great example of being the first one on the court and the first one at study table every day." Keefer noted Bryan's leadership of a new program in his recommendation.
Community service efforts for Bryan include volunteering at Fisher House, a house for families of veterans who are hospitalized in the VA hospital. He has also volunteered at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System transporting veterans to appointments and at the Police Athletic League adaptive baseball program, which gives children and adults with disabilities a chance to participate.
RIVER STATES CONFERENCE BILL MELTON CHAMPION OF CHARACTER AWARD WINNERS
2015-16 -- Vasha Davis (IU East), Men's Basketball
2016-17 -- Zachary Bryan (Carlow), Men's Basketball