BRANSON, Mo. (3-14-10) – Sunday night in Branson, Mo., 2009 All-American Steve Briggs was awarded the 2010 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men’s Division II Player of the Year honor, while his coach Donnie Bostwick picked up the Coach of the Year award.
Falling just short of the award this time last season, it was no surprise the senior from Duncanville, Texas, would be named the top player in the nation. Considered one of the top guards in both NAIA divisions, Briggs was given the same honor by the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference coaches in late Feb.
Briggs has led the Eagles to a current 30-4 overall record, including leading his team to win the first three games of the 2010 NAIA Div. II National Tournament. In those three contests, Briggs is averaging 27-points a game.
Overall this season, Briggs has averaged 21.9-points per contest. The senior is also considered the top three-point shooter in the country, averaging just over four three-point baskets made per game. With 493 long-range baskets in his career, Briggs ranks fifth all-time in career three-pointers made in college basketball history.
Also honored at the Final Four Banquet was third year coach Donnie Bostwick who received his second Coach of the Year honor in as many seasons.
Bostwick has an overall record of 91-14 at the helm of the Eagles. This is the second straight season coach Bostwick has led his squad to the NAIA Div. II Final Four, winning the tournament last season. In 2009, the Eagles leader also picked up the Coach of the Year award in the MCAC.
Finally, before the Eagles opening round game against Jamestown College (N.D.), sophomore Andrew Daniels from Huntington, Ind.,received an award as the Eagles representative to the NAIA’s Champions of Character program.