May 25, 2005

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Junior football player William Freeman was named 2004-05 Furman University Male Athlete-of-the-Year at the school's annual men's athletic banquet Wednesday night at Hartness Pavillion.

Other major award winners included track & field's Brennon Pratt, winner of the Academic Achievement Award, and football coach Bobby Lamb, recipient of the J. Lyles Alley Coach-of-the-Year Award.

Freeman, a linebacker from Swansea, S.C., earned All-America, Southern Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Year, and South Caolina Player-of-the-Year honors following the 2004 season after totaling a team leading 100 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, and 4.5 sacks. His strong play helped Furman to a 10-3 record, conference championship, and No. 5 final national ranking. The Paladins advanced to the NCAA I-AA playoff quarterfinals before falling to eventual national champion James Madison, 14-13.

Pratt, junior from Atlanta, Ga., sports a 3.86 grade point average in history.

Lamb, a 1986 Furman graduate and member of the university's athletic hall-of-fame, enjoyed the winningest season of his three-year head coaching tenure in 2004 en route to earning SoCon Coach-of-the-Year honors.

Most valuable player awards were also presented.

Furman Male Athlete-of-the-Year: William Freeman Academic Achievemet Award: Brennon Pratt J. Lyles Alley Coach-of-the-Year Award: Bobby Lamb Men's Basketball MVP: Nicholas Sanders Men's Tennis MVP: Allen Simmons and Ben Pauluhn Men's Golf: Rob Langley Men's Soccer: Alex Maslow Men's Cross Country: Tyler Johnson Men's Track: Sam Robinson Men's Field: David Moseley