GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern University is honored to announce seniors Justin Broussard and Nikki Welch as the 2017 Dr. Tex Kassen and Dr. Carla Lowry Male and Female Athletes of the Year.
Broussard, a defensive end from Beaumont, earned D3football.com Second Team All-America honors after collecting his fourth consecutive first-team All-SCAC selection. Additionally, Broussard was selected as the SCAC Defensive Player of the Year, led the Pirates to their first SCAC Championship, was a Cliff Harris Award finalist, earned second-team all-region honors and was invited to play in the National Bowl as one of the top defensive ends in the nation.
Broussard tallied 60 total tackles, including 20.5 for loss and 15.5 sacks in 2016. He finished his career with 37 sacks, which is tied for second all-time in SCAC history. Broussard also set the conference's single-game mark with 5.5 sacks at Trinity on October 15.
Welch, a senior setter from Austin, was an AVCA Second Team All-American, while leading the Pirates to their first NCAA Regional Championship and national semifinal appearance. A first-team all-region selection for the second consecutive year, Welch also earned first-team All-SCAC honors and was a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree.
Welch led the nation with 1,447 assists (10.12/set) and ranked third on the team with 436 digs while accumulating 34 service aces. Additionally, she has logged 25 double-doubles, including a 29-assist, 19-dig performance in Southwestern's five-set win to clinch the regional championship against Texas-Dallas.
Drs. Kassen and Lowry are former Directors of Athletics who were advocates for all student-athletes and expected excellence from all who participated wearing the Southwestern uniform. They had great respect for those who worked hard, were exceptional performers and those that exemplified great sportsmanship.
The two student-athletes will be honored and receive their awards at a sporting event during the 2017-18 academic year.
Please click here to view past winners of the Kassen/Lowry Award.