Charles To Be Honored at Men’s Basketball Game Saturday

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings men’s soccer standout, Sam Charles, will be honored at halftime of the men’s basketball game versus the University of Mary Saturday evening, Director of Athletics Dr. Gary Gray announced Friday.

Charles, a native of Chiswell, England, is the most decorated men’s soccer player in school history as he finished his career with a school-record 69 goals, 18 assists and 156 points.  Most recently, he earned the prestigious honor of being named Daktronics West Region Player of the Year.  He owns just about every offensive record in school history and owns a number of Great Northwest Athletic Conference records.

In 2009, Charles broke the GNAC and his own school record for goals in a season with 24.  He was named GNAC Player of the Year for the second time (2007) and was a three-time first team all-conference selection.  Charles is the only player in the GNAC to earn Daktronics All-America honors in back-to-back seasons as a third team selection in 2007 and an honorable mention selection in 2008.  Charles also broke the GNAC record for career goals (62) and career points (140), as well as breaking his own GNAC record for consecutive games with a goal (9) and consecutive games with a point (15).

In the classroom, Charles also excelled as he earned back-to-back CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America second team honors in 2008 and 2009.  He is a three-time GNAC Academic All-Conference selection with a 3.6 grade point average in health and human performance.  He also earned the prestigious honor of being named GNAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2008-09.  In addition, he is a two-time MSUB Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

The men’s basketball team plays the University of Mary at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at Alterowitz Gymnasium as a part of a day/night doubleheader with the women’s team.  The women’s game begins at 2 p.m. versus Chadron State.