Presbyterian’s Brisbone Named 2006 South Carolina Male Amateur Athlete of Year

CLINTON, S.C. - Presbyterian College senior Marcus Brisbone has been selected as the 2006 Male Amateur Athlete of the Year announced today by the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.

Brisbone, a 6-1, 271-pound offensive guard for the Blue Hose football team, averaged over 94% grade-outs per game, did not allow a sack or pressure, and never was graded with a "loaf" this season. A native of Sumter, S.C., Brisbone earned numerous All-American honors including: 2005 AFCA, AP Little All-American and D2Football.com second team, and CollegeSportsReport.com third team honors.

He also was selected as the South Atlantic Conference's Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner, given annually to the league's top offensive lineman and was a finalist for the 2005 Gene Upshaw Award as the NCAA Division II top lineman. Brisbone also was selected to the 2006 Cactus Bowl All-Star Game and was named the 2005 Lakelands Area FCA Scholar-Athlete of the Year for his work on campus and in the community.

Brisbone becomes the second Blue Hose football player to earn this honor in the last six years. In 2001, Todd Cunningham of Presbyterian College earned Co-Male Amateur Athlete of the Year honors, an award he shared with Clemson University's Woodrow Danzler.

The Blue Hose football team had one of their most successful seasons in program history this past fall after compiling a 10-2 overall record, winning the 2005 South Atlantic Conference championship with a perfect 7-0 mark, and earning a bid to the 2005 NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Blue Hose also earned the top seed in the Southeast Region of the NCAA Division II Playoffs and received a bye to the second round.

Brisbone will receive his award on Monday, May 22 at the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame Annual Banquet held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Tickets for this year's event can be purchased by contacting the hall of fame office at 803-779-0905.