HICKORY, NC - Junior Donovan Powell has been named the SAC Men's Lacrosse Scholar Athlete of the Year. 

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The winners are selected based on their achievements in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

Powell, a junior from Chesapeake Beach, MD., owns a 3.84 cumulative GPA while majoring in Sport Management. He has been a three-time member of the Lenoir-Rhyne's Dean's List and earned Chi Alpha Sigma honors this year. He has also been on the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll during his time in Hickory.  

On the field, Powell helped Lenoir-Rhyne to a National Championship during his freshman season. As a junior, he was named Second Team All-Conference and also earned SAC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He led the team with 59 points on 47 goals and 12 assists and started in 16 of 17 games.  

In his time at LR, he has been dedicated to service. He volunteered for three years with the Jenkins Elementary School Field Day and with the Hickory Christmas parade. He also was invested in LR's annual 828 Day in each of his three years and the Bears Trunk or Treat program. He served as two years as a volunteer coach at Hickory High School.