USD’s Leibfarth named Division II Regional Scholar Athlete of the Year

USD's Leibfarth named Division II Regional Scholar Athlete of the Year The NCAA Division II Conference Commissionersâ�?�? Association (CCA) has announced the eight womenâ�?�?s and eight menâ�?�?s 2007-08 Division II regional scholar-athletes of the year. The University of South Dakotaâ�?�?s Frank Leibfarth, a former kicker on the Coyote football team, was one of the eight menâ�?�?s regional winners. Leibfarth, a native of Yankton, finished his career at USD tied for the career record for points scored. He tied Jason Leberâ�?�?s (1993-96) record of 236 career points. Leibfarth made 12 field goals last season and was a perfect 39-of-39 on extra point attempts. In 2007, against Winona State last season, he made a career-best 52-yard field goal. It was two yards shy of the USD record for longest field goal. Leibfarth has earned many accolades in his career as well. He was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America first team two consecutive years, was an Academic All-America first team selection and was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII College Division First Team and the Academic All-NCC team his senior season. The eight menâ�?�?s regional winners for 2007-08 were: Michael Eubanks (Delta State University); Tyler Cooper (West Texas A & M University); Chris Cummings (Mansfield University); Steve Dagostino (The College of Saint Rose); Garrett Fischer (Rockhurst University); Frank Leibfarth (University of South Dakota); Keith Lemay (Western Washington University); and Jason Sherrer (Mount Olive College). These awards, sponsored by Disney Sports, provide the opportunity for Division II to highlight the extraordinary achievements of its student-athletes. DII CCA President and Commissioner of the Sunshine State Conference Mike Marcil said that the award winners are outstanding examples of the mission of NCAA Division II. â�?�?NCAA Division II emphasizes providing student-athletes growth opportunities through academic achievement, athletic competition and engagement with the community. All of these learning experiences have provided the scholar-athlete award winners with a path to graduation and successful lives ahead. We are grateful to Disney Sports for helping us to recognize the academic and athletic accomplishments of these exceptional Division II student-athletes.â�? With a strong commitment to education and a long-standing relationship with Division II athletics, the involvement of Disney Sports with the Division II scholar-athlete of the year awards is a natural fit. â�?�?Disneyâ�?�?s Wide World of Sports complex has become a destination for top collegiate athletics, particularly at the Division II level,â�? said Fred Schoeler, sports account manager for Disney Sports. â�?�?Having worked with the Division II Commissionersâ�?�? Association on the creation of Disneyâ�?�?s Division II Menâ�?�?s and Womenâ�?�?s Tip Off Classic Basketball Tournaments, we are thrilled to continue our involvement with the scholar-athlete awards, which honors the academic and athletic accomplishments of Division IIâ�?�?s top student-athletes.â�?