Chidester Wins DC’s SAAC Sportsmanship Award

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Matthew Chidester has been voted by the Defiance College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as the second winner of the SAAC Sportsmanship Award. The honor is part of the NCAA's ongoing Respect Campaign and will be announced every two weeks throughout the remainder of the spring semester. 

Student-athletes are nominated for the honor by their head coach and the winner is determined by the vote of the Defiance College SAAC members. To be nominated, the student-athlete must be involved in an in-season sport and must consistently demonstrate good sportsmanship throughout their season. 

Chidester was nominated by baseball head coach Derek Woodley, who said, "Matthew has demonstrated great leadership while serving an integral role off the bench as a pinch hitter, as well as a part-time starter." Woodley added, "He has great enthusiasm and is always encouraging his teammates. He is usually one of the first players to the ballpark and one of the last to leave. He has shown tremendous work ethic and his teammates voted him as a captain even though he is only in his second year at DC." 

Chidester is currently fourth on the Yellow Jacket baseball team with a .348 batting average, as he has helped the Purple and Gold to an 8-8 start to the 2010 campaign. 

Defiance College SAAC Sportsmanship Award Winners

March 19 – Elizabeth Petrie, Softball

April 2 – Matthew Chidester, Baseball

April 16 –

April 30 –