May 28, 2008

Bissett Honored With Atlantic 10 Sporting Award

May 28, 2008

KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island men's soccer senior Callum Bissett (Pencaitland, Scotland) has been honored with the 2008 Atlantic 10 Sporting Award, in voting conducted among the senior woman administrators at each of the Conference's 14 institutions. The Sporting Award is presented annually to a male and female student-athlete who exemplifies good sportsmanship. To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a member of an intercollegiate athletics team in a sport sponsored by the Atlantic 10 Conference; be in good academic standing; be active within the campus community; embody the highest standards of leadership, integrity, and sporting conduct; be enthusiastic about the sport in which they compete; and have noteworthy act(s) of sporting conduct.

"Callum's career has been nothing short of complete in regards to what he has brought to the program as an athlete, leader and student," said head coach John O'Connor. "He is a great competitor who has been able to balance his drive to win with the excellent sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct he learned through watching his heroes play in Scotland as a youth."

A three-year team captain and two-time All-Conference and All-Championship team selection, Bissett started all 81 games of his career while leading the Rhode Island men's soccer program to a share of the 2005 Atlantic 10 regular season title, the 2005 and 2006 Conference Championships, and three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The central defender maintained a 3.2 grade point average while majoring in international business and managed to graduate early - in December of 2007 - after taking a semester's worth of classes at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.

Away from the field, Bissett has served as a clinician for South County Youth Soccer, Rams FC and Rhode Island Stingrays Youth Camps and has been involved with the Rhody Life Skills Reading Program. In addition to volunteering at the URI Child Development Center he also taught and coached soccer as a part of the Project Goal Inner City Youth Soccer Program.

"Throughout his career, Callum has continuously set a great example for his peers and his teammates - especially our younger players - and I couldn't be more proud of him receiving this honor," added O'Connor. "He has shown an unmatched maturity, dedication, work ethic and leadership throughout his time in Kingston and will certainly be missed!"

Bissett becomes the second Ram to receive the A-10 Sporting Award as former women's track & field student-athlete Courtney Klenk was recognized in 2006.

Dayton's Alyssa Detroy (women's tennis) was this year's female recipient.