Mid-South Conference Blanton Collier Football Student-Athlete Leading with Character Award

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Mid-South Conference Blanton Collier Football Student-Athlete Leading with Character Award

Pictured are five of the seven award winners along with Ron Butler on the far left (BCSG President) and Franky Minnifield on the far right (BCSG Treasurer).

The following seven football student athletes from the seven Kentucky colleges in the Mid-South Conference were awarded the first annual Blanton Collier Leading with Character Award at a breakfast in Lexington on June 24, 2017.

Campbellsville's Kahlil Baker, Cumberlands' Matt Brooks, Georgetown's Kody Kasey, Kentucky Christian's Jug Smith, Pikeville's Hasani Warren, Lindsey Wilson's Dylan Beasley and Union's Ryan Coleman.

Mid-South Conference Commissioner Eric Ward said, "The Mid-South Conference member institutions take seriously their responsibility to build character through participation in sports. It is an honor to partner with the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Blanton Collier Leadership Group to present this award to football players who have demonstrated positive character values in leading their teams.

"This is something our coaches and administrators emphasize with their student-athletes on a daily basis. This award is a positive message to those student-athletes who routinely demonstrate the behaviors we value and are competing with character."

The Blanton Collier Leading with Character award is a preseason recognition award for MSC football student-athletes attending a Kentucky college or university. This is the first year for this annual award. The Blanton Collier Leading with Character award represents the best college football players that the state of Kentucky has to offer. These players' dedication to the game has contributed significantly to their teams.

Each individual selected to receive this award is a role model for their fellow teammates as well as everyone else they come in contact with. These players exemplify trust, respect, excellence, accountability, caring, confidence, and optimism.

The award was handed out during the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame 2017 Induction Ceremony weekend at a breakfast reception which took place at the Lexington Hilton Downtown hotel.