Tusculum’s Altizer, Newberry’s Mozingo Named 2017 South Atlantic Conference Football Co-Scholar-Athletes of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Tusculum's Evan Altizer and Newberry's Dakota Mozingo were tabbed the South Atlantic Conference Football Co-Scholar-Athletes of the Year, the League announced today. They earned the honor for their achievements in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

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.

Altizer, a senior English major from Weddington, N.C., ended his playing career with a 3.84 GPA. The four time member of theSAC Commissioner's Honor Roll, Altizeralso saw his name listed among the top student's at Tusculum. Each year as a Pioneer his name landed on the Tusculum Athletic Director's Honor Roll, Tusculum President's List, as well as Dean's List. Hewas named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team this fall and was also an All-District first team honoree as a junior and senior.  

As a senior, he led the Pioneers with a 9.1 punt return average, which wasthird in the league and 42nd in the country.  His season-long 45-yard return at UNC Pembroke set up a touchdown in Tusculum's31-10 road victory.  He leaves Tusculum as the program's all-time leader with 83 punt returns, while his 677 punt return yards are second in the school'srecord book, while his career 8.16 punt return average is seventh-best by a Pioneer.

Altizer started in all 10 games as a receiverin 2017, where he finished second on the team with 25 receptions for 444 yards. His four touchdown receptions were tops on the squad.  During his 42-game career, he posted 67 receptions for 1,359 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 1,359 receiving yards are 15th in school history.

He has given time to his community, during his first two years at Tusculumhe helped with Doak Elementary Lunch Buddies Program. For three years he volunteered at Tusculum View Elementary School with the Drop Everything and Read Program. With his football teammates he has volunteered with roadside clean-up projects as part of the Adopt-A-Highway Program.

Altizer volunteered during the College's Day of Service for the region, providing numerous hours working on various projects in the area. He served as a Campus ambassador for the Tusculum College President's Society during his junior and senior years. Also, in his final two years, hewas a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and volunteered for the Greenville Boys and Girls Club. As well as spending time volunteering for the Special Olympics.

"Evan is an outstanding football player," said Tusculum Head Football Coach Jerry Odom. "He, in the truest term is what the phrase 'student-athlete'is intended. He is a tireless worker both on andoff the field. He is a shining star in the community and I for one could not be prouder of Evan for this most deserved accomplishment."

Mozingo, a senior Physical Education-Teacher Certification major from Rock Hill, S.C., completed his time on the field with a 3.56 GPA. In his first three years at Newberry, he was named to the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and Dean's list. The December graduate of Newberry College completed hisstudent teaching at Little Mountain Elementary and Chapin High Schools during his junior and senior years. 

As a sophomore, he played in 10 games and helped pave the way for Romelo Doctor, who led all collegiate running backs in the state of South Carolina (including Division I) with 1,235 yards. Newberry finished 7-5 and appeared in the NCAA Division II Football Championship. He was named Most Improved Player and won Iron Wolf Award forhis achievement in the weight room.

Mozingo started all 12 games for the SAC Champion Wolves in 2016 and was named to the All-SAC Second Team. He helped Newberry's offense set school records in scoring, passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, completion percentage, total offense, all-purpose yards, and total touchdowns. 

In 2017, Mozingo was a member of the All-SAC First Team and a National Semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded by the National Football Foundation to the nation' s top scholar-athlete. He stated in all 11 games at center and played in 95% of Newberry's offensive snaps.

"He's an outstanding young man that does a great job in the classroom and on the field," said Newberry Head Football Coach Todd Knight.

Mozingo has been a member of the Omricon Delta Kappa leadership society and the National Leadership Society since his sophomore year. He continues to be very active with his church in his hometown of Rock Hill. During his four years at Newberry, he traveled with Coach Knight, to visit hospitals, nursing homes, and elementary schools for pep rallies. During his junior year he was a reader during the Read Across America Day at Mid-Carolina Middle School.

"Having Dakota on the field is like having a coach out there orchestrating the plays," Offensive Line Coach Na'Shan Goddard said. "I love watching him get the offensive line in the right position to succeed every play. Trying to replace him in the offseason will be my biggest task."

Other Nominees:
Jonathan Mason, Carson-Newman

Jonathan Nolan, Lenoir-Rhyne

Zack Singleton, Wingate 

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