FRANKFORT, Ky. — Campbellsville University's Elliott Young was named Mid-South Conference Champions of Character for men's basketball, conference officials announced at tonight's banquet at the Capital Plaza Hotel.
 
Champions of Character is a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) initiative that recognizes athletes who mirror the core values — integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.
 
"Congratulations to Elliott for being named the MSC Champion of Character for men's basketball," said Rusty Hollingsworth, director of athletics. "Elliott has been a role model for student-athletes at Campbellsville University. It has been fun to watch him mature as a leader over the past four seasons."
 
Every nominee is required to supply a letter of recommendation from their coach and also a personal letter to the conference athletics directors, who form the voting committee.
 
"We are so proud of Elliott for receiving the MSC Champions of Character award" said his coach, Brent Vernon. "He represents the five core values of this award which are: integrity, respect, responsibility, sports a team, and servant leadership. He is such a great representative of our university and program. We couldn't be happier for him."
 
Vernon said that Young Elliott is also the epitome of a student/athlete. On top of being a four-year starter on our basketball team, he carries a 3.73 GPA in the classroom. 
 
Young has earned Academic All Mid-South Conference honors for the last three years as well as an NAIA Academic All-American. 
 
"Elliott is a mentor and positive role model to the youth in Campbellsville and to the student body of Campbellsville University," continued Vernon. "A senior that has been on our campus for four years, Elliott has been a positive influence to hundreds of students on our campus. Since his arrival, he has been one of the most popular students among his peers and the faculty and staff at Campbellsville University."
 
"I've had to make some important decisions in my life," said Young in his letter to the athletic directors. "Several included narrowing down my sports focus to basketball, deciding which friends with which I wanted to spend my time, which college I wanted to attend, and which major I wanted to study.
 
"But the most important decision I made and will ever make was when I decided to be baptized at my church in June of 2004. On that day I decided to follow Jesus. When I think about the five core character values, I think about that day and the promise I made to myself and to God.
 
"The five core values will help me with my future ambitions. Some short-term goals include graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Homeland Security. I plan to become a Kentucky State Trooper. I have already started the process and hope to be chosen as a candidate for the KSP Training Class in May of this year."
 
Some of Elliott Young's Long List of Activities and Achievements
 
* 1994-Present, Southeast Christian Church member
* 2000-2013 Bullitt County Excellent Attendance Award
* 2005-2007 National Physical Fitness Award
* 2005-2006 Jr. Beta Club member
* 2008-2013 President's Outstanding Academic Achievement Award
* 2009-2013 BEHS Boys' Basketball team member
* 2013-14 Campbellsville University recipient, athletic/academic scholarship
* 2013 CU Dean's List,  Fall semester
* 2014 CU First Class Spring Volunteer Project — House Shingling
* 2015-2016 CU Champion of Character recipient, Men's Basketball
* 2016 Who's Who Among Students In American Universities and Colleges
* 2016 Mission trip with Sports Reach to Belize
* 2016 Guest speaker at Campbellsville Baptist Church about Belize trip
* 2016 -present, Member of the Leadership group at Campbellsville University (Salvation Army ringing of the bell at Walmart, shoe drive
* 2016-17 CU Champion of Character recipient, Men's Basketball
* 2013-Present- Green River Lake Shore Cleanup
* 2016-present, Kentucky State Police preliminary activities in order to qualify for KSP training in May 
* 2017- Spring Freshman Class Mentor including Service Project to renovate Tim Horton's Summer Camp for under privileged kids
 
Fans can follow the Tigers throughout the year on Twitter @CvilleTigers and @CvilleTigersMBB, and on Facebook at Campbellsville Tigers and online at www.CampbellsvilleTigers.com.