Longland receives NEAC Sportsmanship Award

The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) announced the Sportsmanship and Inspirational Award winners for the 2010-11 year, naming Morrisville State College's Thomas Longland (Dunnville, ONT) the recipient of the Individual Sportsmanship Award.



“We're excited for such a significant honor to have been bestowed on Tom. He really exemplifies everything you would want in a college athlete,” said Greg Carroll, Morrisville State's Director of Athletics.



Longland is a two-sport student-athlete for the Mustangs in ice hockey and men's lacrosse and has extended his sportsmanship and leadership abilities beyond the playing fields. A great competitor and motivator, Longland has the utmost respect of officials and opponents. Officials have made numerous comments to coaching staff members about his conduct in conflict situations and the level of respect that he has for not only the game, but opponents as well.



Also excelling in the classroom, Longland has earned numerous academic accolades, and is very active in the campus and surrounding community. Named a SUNYAC All-Academic Team member and Commissioner's List recipient, as well as a NEAC Scholar-Athlete, Longland has maintained Dean's List honors throughout his academic career at Morrisville State.



Aside from competition on the field, Longland has taken on several initiatives in regards to teammates and fellow student-athletes to demonstrate a positive sportsmanship model during and at athletic events.



He serves as the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and has facilitated a “Mustang Pride” campaign, encouraging other student-athletes to demonstrate positive sportsmanship methods while attending athletic events and supporting fellow student-athletes.



Serving as the community service coordinator for Morrisville State, Longland has spearheaded several community service initiatives, including the Triple M Program (Morrisville Mustang Mentors) with the local elementary school, combining athletics with academics. The program is designed to connect student-athletes at Morrisville State with elementary school children to serve as mentors who may lack adult support at home, in an effort to provide reading and math assistance to youth.



Longland has also served as the coordinator for the “Into the Streets” program, a campus-wide community service initiative.



Longland was also involved in the men's ice hockey “Saves For A Cure” program, raising more than $6,000 to aid children suffering from cancer, and the men's lacrosse “Wounded Warrior Project”, which raised more than $2,800 for injured veterans.



Extremely well respected on campus not only by student-athletes, but the Morrisville State campus and community as well, Carroll pointed out that “Tom's commitment to academic success, as well as community service, has set a very high bar for others to follow at Morrisville State. “



In May, he was the recipient of the college's Rays of Light award which recognizes students who show initiative, leadership and selflessness through community service.



In 2010, Longland was named International Student of the Year and Peer Tutor of the Year.



Majoring in human performance and health promotion at Morrisville State, Longland is the son of Carol and John Longland of Dunnville, Ontario.