June 27, 2001

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Mountain West Conference announced its 2001 recipients of the Female and Male Student-Athletes of the Year in Colorado State senior Liz Toman and UNLV senior John Greer.

Established by the Mountain West Conference Joint Council in 1999, the Student-Athlete of the Year award is the highest honor presented to a student-athlete by the conference. The award is bestowed annually to the man and woman who best exemplify the term "student-athlete" by achieving excellence in academics, community involvement and athletics. Criteria for the Student-Athlete of the Year award requires that nominees demonstrate leadership, character and conduct on and off the playing field. In addition to superior athletic achievement, candidates must have a minimum 3.5 grade point average and be in their final year eligibility in any NCAA-recognized sport.

Toman, a native of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, overcame ovarian cancer as a senior in high school to become a three-time track and field All-American and graduate in the top six percent of her class at Colorado State. A Mountain West Conference champion in the discus and shot put, Toman demonstrated her athletic versatility as the only MWC athlete to compete in the high jump, where she placed second, and the throwing events at the conference championships.

Toman went on to set five school records and post a national runner-up finish in the discus throw at the 2001 NCAA Outdoor Championships. She completed her degree in four years with cum laude distinction, earning Outstanding Senior honors in the Equine Science program, and ranked in the top 10 percent of agriculture students nationwide. She was also an Academic All-MWC honoree two straight years. Between her demanding academic program and participation in athletics, Toman found time to volunteer at the Colorado State Equine Reproduction laboratory and speak at community functions such as Ram Pride and the Rotary Club. An eight-time Dean's List member, Toman maintained a 3.83 grade point average during her academic career.

Greer, a native of Apple Valley, Calif., closed out a stellar career as an offensive lineman for the UNLV football team by becoming the only MWC football student-athlete to earn First Team All-MWC and Academic All-MWC in the same season. A starter in 44 of 45 career games for the Rebels (1996-2000), Greer was the cornerstone for transforming UNLV football from a struggling program to Las Vegas Bowl champions in 2000. And his accomplishments were just as impressive in the classroom and the community. Greer earned First Team Verizon Academic All-District honors as a junior and senior, and was a four-year participant in the Nevada Reading Week program in Las Vegas elementary schools. A five-time Dean's List member, Greer garnered academic all-conference honors three straight years and volunteered for a variety of community programs, including Children's Burn Awareness and a local Boy Scout Troop.

A managerial finance major with a 3.50 grade point average, Greer became one of only 18 players nationally to be selected to the ANSON Mount Scholar-Athlete Award Team in 2000.