Wingate's Baroniunas Named 2019 SAC Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Wingate University's Connor Baroniunas was voted the 2019 South Atlantic Conference Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Conference office announced today.

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The winners are selected based on their achievements in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

Baroniunas, a senior accounting major with a 3.408 GPA, is a three-time College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District selection, a three-time SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient and a member of both the Wingate President's and Dean's Lists.  

"Connor has great intensity of focus," said Wingate head football coach Joe Reich. "He's a special guy. We can give something to him once and he's got it. Take this fact and add his incredible work ethic/dedication and now one knows why he's successful at anything he does."

A native of Apex, N.C., Baroniunas was a first team All-SAC selection as an offensive lineman in 2019. He played 437 snaps, recording 30 knockdowns with zero sacks allowed and an 88 percent overall grade. He helped lead the Bulldogs to a 10-2 overall record and their third straight NCAA Division II postseason appearance. He blocked for two All-SAC running backs; Domineke McNeil and Nijere Peoples, as well as All-SAC quarterback Shaw Crocker.

Off the field, Baroniunas has participated in several community activities both at home and at Wingate. He has been a volunteer at the Wingate University Football Special Olympics Field Day, while also taking part in the One Day, One Dog service day. He has volunteered his time as a Wingate Elementary School Reading Buddy and he took part in the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in Raleigh, N.C.  

Football Scholar-Athlete Finalists

Antonio Wimbush, Carson-Newman
Grayson Willingham, Lenoir-Rhyne
Austin Gordon, Newberry
Jackson Cauthen, Tusculum

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