Mick Hedgepeth Earns Conference's Highest Academic Honor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball senior Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) was named Atlantic Sun Conference Male Student-Athlete of the Year, the league office announced at its 2012 Spring Meetings in Daytona Beach, Fla.

This marks the seventh time in the Bruins' 11-year Atlantic Sun Conference history that a Belmont men's basketball player has been named Male Student-Athlete of the Year. For perspective, no other school-sport combination in the history of the A-Sun has more than two awards.

Hedgepeth joins Wes Burtner (2002), Justin Hare (2007, 2008), Adam Mark (2003, 2004), and Andy Wicke (2009) in this exclusive fraternity.

Hedgepeth's academic, athletic, and civic contributions to Belmont University have been far-reaching. The Crossville, Ala. native is a two-time Capital One Academic All-District selection, and received postgraduate scholarships from the NCAA and the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (DI-AAA ADA). Moreover, the 6-9 forward represented Belmont University at the 2012 Final Four in New Orleans, La. as one of 10 finalists for the prestigious Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Hedgepeth was also one of just six student-athletes named to the inaugural Atlantic Sun Academic All-Conference Team for men's basketball in 2012.

On the court, Hedgepeth was an integral figure in 96 victories, three postseason appearances, three Atlantic Sun Conference regular season championships, two Atlantic Sun Conference tournament championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances. A two-time Second Team All-Atlantic Sun honoree and the 2011 Atlantic Sun Tournament Most Valuable Player, Hedgepeth ranks in the top 10 in five career statistical categories; first in games played (134), third in rebounds (692), fourth in blocked shots (78), fifth in field goal percentage (.540) and ninth in scoring (1,191).

In the community, Hedgepeth participated in Belmont Sports Evangelism Mission Trips to South Africa, Malta and Italy. He also served as a tutor and activities leader at nearby schools, led Belmont's annual Volunteer Youth Encouragement Services campaign, spearheaded numerous service projects, and represented men's basketball on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Hedgepeth held a 3.70 GPA in his major of accounting. He earned his undergraduate degree in May and plans to pursue a graduate degree in accountancy.

Each of the nominees was required to be a junior or senior in academic standing, have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have attended his or her school for at least one full academic year prior to the current season of competition.

Member institutions nominated one male and one female student-athlete for inclusion in Student-Athlete of the Year ballots. Faculty Athletic Representatives from each school submitted completed ballots to select the winners.