Charles Repeats as GNAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year

BILLINGS, Mont. – For the first time in Great Northwest Athletic Conference history, Montana State Billings senior men’s soccer standout, Sam Charles, was named 2009-2010 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row, the conference office announced Thursday.

“Sam was a great student-athlete,” MSUB men’s soccer coach Dan McNally said.  “He broke numerous individual men’s soccer GNAC records and, more importantly, he helped establish our MSUB men’s soccer program as a contender in the West Region over the last three years.  Sam was as dedicated in the classroom as he was on the soccer field.  Sam had an outstanding career, and I’m very proud of everything he accomplished.”

Charles joins Central Washington University’s, Johnny Spevak, as the GNAC Male Scholar and Male Athletes of the Year, respectively, as voted on by the conference’s athletic directors.

The Chiswell, England, native, finished his storied career with 69 goals, 18 assists and 156 points all school records and is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the GNAC.  He tallied 62 goals, 16 assists and 140 points over the past three seasons in the GNAC and was named GNAC Player of the Year in 2007 and 2009.

In 2009, he became the first GNAC men’s soccer athlete to be named the Ron Lenz Daktronics Division II National Player of the Year.  In addition, he was named Daktronics West Region Player of the Year.  Charles tallied 24 goals helping lead the Yellowjackets to their school-record third consecutive winning season.  His 24 goals were the most in the nation and a school and conference record for a season.

In the classroom, he also excelled as he tallied a 3.58 grade point average in health and human performance and was a two-time second team CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America selection.  Charles was a three-time GNAC Academic All-Conference selection, as well.