HARTSVILLE, S.C. –Coker College men's soccer player Brendan McCarron has been named the 2013 SAC Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the league announced today.

The SAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the conference's championship sports, and is voted on by the league's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. 

"Brendan is a thoroughly deserving winner of the SAC Student-Athlete of the Year award," said head men's soccer coach Paul Leese. "Since his arrival at Coker, his dedication to soccer and his studies has been exemplary. What has impressed me most, however, has been his maturity and selflessness. Brendan is a true team player who brings out the best in others. We will lose a great leader when he graduates this spring."

On the field, McCarron, a defender and team captain, tallied one assist while playing in 16 games. He anchored a defense that led the SAC in team shutouts and gave up the third-fewest goals in the conference. In October, McCarron was named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-District men's soccer team as a first-team selection.

McCarron is a senior biology major and boasts a 3.7 grade-point average. He is a member of Coker's Enactus team - a community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.

McCarron was also named to the academic all-conference team and presidential honor roll in 2012, both earned while Coker was a member of Conference Carolinas.

A native of Tampa, Fla., McCarron is the son of Kevin and Christine McCarron.

This is the third consecutive year that a Coker men's soccer player has won a conference scholar-athlete of the year award. McCarron is the first to win the award in the SAC, while James Sweeney '13 won the award in 2011 and 2012 when Coker was a member of Conference Carolinas.

Release written by sports information intern Sharod Williams '13.