MACON, Ga.- For the second consecutive year, Mercer men’s basketball forward Will Emerson has been named Atlantic Sun Male Student-Athlete-of-The-Year, as announced by the conference office Wednesday afternoon.
The 6-10 forward is the third person to be voted conference Student-Athlete of the Year twice and has earned numerous academic honors at Mercer. This year, he received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, presented to the graduating student who best exemplifies excellence in character, leadership, service to the community and a commitment to spiritual values. He has also earned awards such as Mercer Outstanding Student in Organic Chemistry and Physics, the Henry H. Ware Jr. Academic Award and the Graydon L. Ware Rising Junior Biology Award
The native of St. Mary’s started all 28 games last season for the Bears, leading the team in rebounding (6.8 rpg) and was second in scoring (11.7 ppg.). He was also named to ESPN the Magazine’s Academic All-America first team for the second straight season.
“It is quite an honor to have Will named A-Sun Student-Athlete of the Year for the second straight year,” said Mercer head coach Mark Slonaker. “His accomplishments both on the court and in the classroom are very impressive. Everyone in the Mercer community is extremely proud of Will. Just as last year, the award is well-deserved and it is great to see all his hard work pay off.”
Emerson was the 31st player to join Mercer’s prestigious 1,000 point club and currently ranks 27th on the school’s all-time scoring list. He ranks 87th all-time in the Atlantic Sun.
He ranked 26th in the A-Sun in scoring and sixth in defensive rebounding at the conclusion of the season. Emerson scored in double figures 21 times and garnered a team-high seven double-doubles, while notching a career-high five blocks at Savannah State. Emerson also recorded a season-best 22 points at Savannah State
In addition to his accomplishments on the court, Emerson, sports a perfect 4.0 GPA as a biology major with a minor in chemistry. A four-time Atlantic Sun Academic All-Conference honoree, he also scored a 39 on the MCAT medical-school entrance exam, a score that placed him in the 99th percentile nationwide.
Emerson also is very active in the community – a volunteer with the Dolphin Swim Program for disabled children and with His Able Hands Respite Care Program, he has helped Boy Scouts earn chemistry merit badges. He was the senior class President for 2005-2006, and has also served as a senator in Mercer’s Student Government Association for three years and served another term in 2006. Emerson also has found time to serve on the SGA’s academic affairs committee.
“He’s the epitome of a student-athlete,” said Mercer Athletics Director Bobby Pope. “He is an example of what all our student-athletes should strive for.”
The A-Sun Student-Athlete-of-the-Year awards are given annually and are voted upon by the faculty athletic representatives at each institution during the conference’s annual spring meetings.
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