COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Appalachian Athletic Conference awarded the 2014-15 AAC Male Champions of Character Award to Jacob Simmons of Tennessee Wesleyan College and Caleb Hardy of Truett-McConnell College on Monday at the Fall CAA/FAR Conference Meetings.

The meetings were held on the Columbia College campus in Columbia, S.C.

This is the second time in the award's 12-year history the award has gone to two males.

Simmons, a cross country and track & field standout for Tennessee Wesleyan, serves his fellow student-athletes by serving as an intern athletic trainer, helping others recover from injuries to get back on the field. He spends his free time scheduling hours during the day to meet with student-athletes around their various schedules to complete their injury rehabilitation programs, and he uses the opportunity to spread encouragement and positivity.

On the track, Simmons is an excellent example of sportsmanship. After races, he always shakes hands and congratulates other athletes, win or lose, and he has established positive relationships with his competitors that way. Simmons also huddles the team together before each meet for a time of prayer and encouragement.