Dec. 18, 2008

IRVING (C-USA/SMU) - Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky today named Tommy Poynter one of 12 student-athletes who will receive the inaugural C-USA Spirit of Service Award. The C-USA Spirit of Service Award is designed to recognize the community service efforts of the league's student-athletes, based upon significant community service, good academic standing and participation in their elected sport. The Spirit of Service award will be presented three times throughout the season, with today's honorees representing Conference USA's fall sports: football, soccer, volleyball and cross country.

Poynter joined the Mustangs as a walk-on in 2004 and earned a full scholarship after a year on the field. The three-year starter earned a bachelor's of science at SMU and is currently working toward an MBA. Poynter provides a positive influence as he speaks to middle school FCA programs and volunteers to speak at high schools about the importance of hard work. The Irving, Texas, native is a three-time member of the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and blocked for an offense that has thrown 88 TD passes in the last three seasons.

A full list of winners is below:

FALL 2008 SPIRIT OF SERVICE HONOREES:
Jarrett Newby, East Carolina, Men's Cross Country
Jake Ebner, Houston, Football
Brian Leggett, Marshall, Football
Kate Murphy, Memphis, Women's Soccer
Travis Mason, Rice, Football
Tommy Poynter, SMU, Football
Jana Mason, Southern Miss, Women's Soccer
Craig Gelhardt, Tulane, Football
Moton Hopkins, Tulsa, Football
Dean Sorrell, UAB, Men's Soccer
Allison Palmer, UCF, Women's Cross Country
Jamar Hunt, UTEP, Football