First Posted: 9/27/2014

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Dr. Jeff Frederick, the faculty athletics representative and an an associate professor in the history department at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, was selected as the Peach Belt Conference’s nominee for the NCAA’s Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award.

Frederick was selected ahead of nominees from the 13 other league institutions as the faculty mentor that will represent the PBC in competition with the 29 other NCAA Division II conferences. The national award winner will be released at a later date.

The criteria for the award states that the delegate represents the NCAA Division II core values of learning, passion, service, resourcefulness, sportsmanship and balance, exhibits “mentorship” for student-athletes and their institution and displays a strong commitment to prepare student-athletes to excel in their endeavors after their athletics careers have ended.

“I am grateful to be nominated by UNCP and the Peach Belt Conference for the prestigious Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award,” Frederick said. “My passion is to work with students and I find student-athletes to be intellectually curious, motivated and passionate about their futures. That is a terrific combination.”

Frederick is a passionate lecturer and can often be found developing creative ways to teach his students. He was recently selected by students to give the “Last Lecture” at UNCP and drew from numerous examples of how his students continuously keep him on his toes and constantly strive for more knowledge.

Not only is he the FAR at UNCP, but he is the faculty associate for the softball team. He can be found at practice, in the weight room and on the track with the student-athletes showing his support and passion for their advancement in sport. He serves the community through leadership and volunteers his time in various organizations.

“I cannot think of an individual who is more deserving of recognition for their tireless efforts to coach, mentor, and support our student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics Dick Christy. “Jeff is a true asset to the athletics program at UNCP and our students benefit from his leadership.”

Frederick regularly preaches an open-door policy for each student on campus and visits with other sports as well in order to talk about the importance of academics and the balance needed to be a collegiate student-athlete.

Sigmon leads Braves to 3rd place finish

CHARLOTTE — Newcomer Tim Sigmon was the only Brave in the top-10 of the non-Division I finishers while the other 14 UNCP runners claimed season-best times to help the mens cross country team a third place finish at the Charlotte Cross Country Invitational on Friday at McAlpine Park.

Sigmon led the Braves throughout the entire race and dropped more than a minute and a half off his personal best to finish the race with a time of 26:03.2 to take ninth. Sophomore Wilson Pearson also shed 1:37 off his time from last week for an 11th place finish for a time of 26:13.4.

Juniors Nebiyou Aynu and Joel Johnston finished in 18th and 19th, respectively. Aynu was a second off of his personal best time with a time of 26:29.8 including a 1:41 improvement from last week. Johnston crossed the finish line with a time of 26:30.5 for a 1:26 drop.

“The guys executed another good race plan,” said UNCP head coach Peter Ormsby. “I’m looking forward a full-effort in two weeks.”

Brave women finish 8th in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE – The UNCP womens cross country team was led by senior Kendra Dorn with a 23rd place finish to assist the squad in claiming an overall eighth place finish in the 6K of the non-Division I finishers on Friday evening at McAlpine Park in Charlotte.

Dorn led the Braves throughout the race and crossed the finish line with a time of 24:14.5, while Kyndal Boykin, Lea Tardanico and Olivia Lowman ran together through the first two miles. Boykin broke away from the group and posted a 30th place finish with a time of 24:32.6, while Tardanico (25:25.0) and Lowman (25:29.5) finished four seconds apart for 55th and 57th place finishes, respectively.

“We are missing one out of the top five and we were just a little tired,” said UNCP head coach Peter Ormsby. “I think we are coming around.”