R. J. Cowan and Kasey Buggs have been named Male and Female Athlete of the Year, respectively, by The University of Texas at Tyler for the 2007-2008 athletic season. Cowan was also named UT Tyler Student-Athlete of the Year.

Cowan, a junior two-sport standout from Whitehouse, had an outstanding year, receiving All-Conference honors in cross country and track & field. Additionally, Cowan earned Academic All-Conference honors and the ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete award for both sports.

Cowan won two cross country meets in 2007, including the NCAA Division III South/Southeast Regional meet and qualified for the Division III National Championships. He helped UT Tyler win its third straight ASC men’s cross country title and earn the Championship’s first-ever perfect score. For his performance in 2007, he was named Male Athlete of the Year for the South/Southeast region by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Cowan also set the UT Tyler record in the 8K during the 2007 cross country season.

Aside from national athletic honors, Cowan earned national academic honors as well. He was named Individual All-Academic by the USTFCCCA and Cross Country/Track & Field Academic All-District by the College Sports Information Directors of America and ESPN The Magazine. Cowan was also one of two recipients of the ASC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award for UT Tyler.

Buggs, a native of Lake Dallas, completed her senior year at UT Tyler by helping lead the Patriots to the ASC East regular season title and their first ever ASC Tournament appearance.

Buggs earned several awards during 2007-2008, including ASC East Division Player of the Year, All-Conference, All-ASC East Division first team and D3hoops.com All-South Region third team.

Buggs received Academic All-Conference honors and was named to the ASC Women’s Basketball Distinguished Scholar-Athlete team.

Others nominated for UT Tyler Student-Athlete of the Year were Linsey Schofield – Volleyball, Kate Bell – Softball, Brand Fenter – Men’s Tennis, Amber Grounds – Women’s Golf, Kristen Akin-Henton – Softball, Lauren Hufham – Women’s Soccer, Corey Kellam – Men’s Cross Country, Alina Kilkenny – Women’s Soccer, Beth Launius – Women’s Tennis, Kate Lightfield – Softball, Adam McAlpine – Men’s Soccer, Britney Moore – Women’s Cross Country, Lindsey Palmer – Women’s Soccer, Alyssa Ploof – Women’s Basketball, Kaitlyn Posey – Women’s Cross Country, Marc Randle – Men’s Track & Field, Jordan Repsher – Men’s Tennis, Matt Riccardi – Men’s Cross Country/Men’s Basketball and Kody Evans – Baseball.