INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct announced Brian Hung, a tennis student-athlete at the University of Michigan, and the 2006 Framingham State College women’s soccer team as the 2007-08 NCAA Sportsmanship Award winners.

Hung and the Framingham State squad were chosen from among six finalists — three male and three female — representing Divisions I, II and III.

Hung initially struggled in his adjustments to Ann Arbor from his native Hong Kong, but he used his trials to grow into a respected leader. A captain of the Wolverines squad, Hung completed his four-year career without collecting a code violation (point penalty) and always gave opponents the benefit of the doubt on line calls.

Michigan tennis coach Bruce Berque described Brian Hung as a quiet leader who listens and leads by example, but the senior’s actions on and off the court speak volumes.

“He is a player who is respected by his teammates and opponents, not only because of his skills, but also because of the way he treats people,” Berque said. “He is the complete team player, leading the team in workouts and helping players make difficult adjustments in class and on campus. Big Ten coaches often talk to me about the tremendous example he sets for everyone in the conference.”

In addition, he frequently visited a local children’s hospital, participated in a Pen Pal program connecting undeserved grade school children and student-athletes, and mentored young students in the local school system.

The Framingham State women’s soccer team was also honored with the prestigious award for their commitment to sportsmanship. During its Oct. 29 game against Bridgewater State College, all the Framingham State team needed was a win to solidify the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference regular-season title and advance to the postseason tournament. Framingham State appeared to take a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute of the game, but several players knew the goal had actually entered the side netting rather than the back of the goal. When play resumed, Framingham State coach Tucker Reynolds told his squad to allow Bridgewater State to score and tie the game.

Bridgewater State ultimately won the game, 3-2. After the match, the Framingham State players received a letter from the Bears squad and positive e-mails from the Bridgewater State head coach and some Bridgewater State parents.

Although the Rams ended their season without a postseason berth, Reynolds said they walked away with something far more valuable: “Five years from now, nobody is going to know or care what the score of the game was, but maybe somebody’s going to be talking to their child about ethics and sportsmanship because of that game.”

The other divisional finalists were Cleveland State University tennis student-athlete Sarah Galon, Southern Connecticut State University soccer student-athlete Kieron Jennings, Clarion University of Pennsylvania tennis student-athlete Lisa Baumgartner; and St. Norbert College tennis student-athlete Andrew Winters. Following are profiles on each divisional winner:

• Sarah Galon, Cleveland State University, tennis

Galon was a two-time winner of the Horizon League’s Herb Foster Sportsmanship Award, an annual honor presented to one female and one male from the conference who best demonstrates sportsmanship. Although most coaches nominate one of their own players, a coach from another team nominated Galon, and other coaches voted for her to receive the honor. As president of the campus Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Galon established the Student-Athlete Viking Cup Challenge – a friendly competition in which each sport earned points for student-athletes supporting each other, volunteerism and academic challenges. She also spearheaded a drive to collect pop tabs to benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

• Kieron Jennings, Southern Connecticut State University, soccer

In 41 appearances in two years as a member of the Southern Connecticut State soccer squad, Jennings never received a red card and received just one yellow card. In addition to never missing or being late for a practice, he pushed teammates to improve their performance and assisted younger players in adjusting to college, including helping them select classes and set up their bank accounts. He consistently volunteered to take part in fund-raising activities for the program, including assisting at coaching clinics, helping with event administration and working within the camp program as a coach and counselor.

• Lisa Baumgartner, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, tennis

Baumgartner, a senior at Clarion, has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude and respect for everyone around her. She has never questioned a line call or slammed a ball and strives to be fair and encourage both opponents and teammates. The communications and disorders major has served as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative and volunteered with the Special Olympics, Junior Olympic Skills Challenge, junior leagues and clinics. Always complimentary and never demeaning to opponents, Baumgartner, who has worked her way from No. 6 to No. 2 singles, received the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s March 2006 National Team Sportsmanship Award.

• Andrew Winters, St. Norbert College, tennis

Teammates of St. Norbert’s Winters, who was nicknamed Boomer since birth, considered getting bracelets imprinted with WWBD – What Would Boomer Do? – in case they found themselves in a situation that left them unsure how to move forward. Before each match, the two-year captain took the time to introduce himself to each opponent and learn his name. He also consistently complimented opponents’ play during matches. In addition to maintaining a near perfect 4.0 grade-point average, Winters volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club, served as a youth soccer coach and was a representative on the campus and Midwest Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committees.

-30-