Wednesday, April 13, 2011

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Belmont men's track and field senior Joe Frye (Roscommon, Mich.) was recently honored as a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Athlete of the Year.

This year, the NSCA awarded 247 collegiate and high school athletes from 96 schools with this esteemed award. Frye was nominated by Belmont's strength and conditioning coach Josh McMillian, CSCS, who said, "Joe came to Belmont University as a walk-on with minimal strength. In the four years he has been here, he has gone from an average athlete to an exceptional one. Joe's strength gains have went through the roof. He holds five school records (indoor and outdoor shot put, weight throw, hammer and discus) and one Atlantic Sun Conference record (hammer). Last year, he was the A-Sun Conference Field MVP and Co-MVP for the Outdoor Championships. Joe's work ethic is second to none."

Alan Kinniburgh, NSCA's Executive Director added, "The advantages of strength training and conditioning cannot be denied in collegiate and high school athletics. These student-athletes attest to this understanding and are to be applauded for their hard work and dedication."

The NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year program recognizes those collegiate and high school athletes, whose athletic accomplishments, in the opinion of their strength coach, reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning. These athletes are also recognized for their academic and personal accomplishments and their integrity as student-athletes.

The NSCA All-American Athlete of the Year Award program is in its 32nd year, and is made possible by a grant from Power Systems, Inc., a Knoxville, Tennessee fitness product leader.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts five of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.