BOLIVAR, Mo. -- SBU athletics has announced that Shyrah Perry and Michael Pierce are the 2008-09 winners of the Rex Brown Award for Excellence.

The Rex Brown Award for Excellence is the highest honor presented by SBU athletics. Each year it's awarded to one female and one male senior student-athlete who has strong Christian character, academic achievement, leadership qualities and has impacted their sport. The award is named in honor of Dr. Rex Brown, a former longtime SBU athletic director and Bearcat baseball coach.

Shyrah and Michael were presented with their awards by athletic director Brent Good during the student recognition chapel on Wednesday morning, May 6.

SBU athletic director Brent Good, Michael Pierce, Shyrah Perry

Shyrah Perry is a four-year member of the volleyball team. She is from Fair Grove, Mo., and is the daughter of Mike and Tonnia Perry. Shyrah is set to graduate with a degree in physical education. She was Academic All-MIAA in 2007 and was twice named to the MIAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll, as well as named All-MIAA Honorable Mention in 2007.

Shyrah is an active member in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). As a member of SAAC, she helped with the Mix It Up Night, the CMH Senior Citizen Prom, and the Christmas Adopt-A-Family program. As a defensive specialist/libero, Shyrah led the volleyball team in digs the last two seasons, and currently holds the SBU record for digs in a season and is among the school's all-time leaders in the same category.

"We are very proud of Shyrah and all she's accomplished," said volleyball head coach Kelly Richardson. "She has definitely made an impact on this program, and she will be missed. God has great things in store for Shyrah, and we know she will do an excellent job at Monett." Shryah has accepted a position in the Monett school district where she will teach and coach high school volleyball.

Michael Pierce is a sports management major from Gladstone, Mo., and is the son of Dan and Monica Pierce. He is married to the former Christine Flippin. He has won multiple All-American awards in track and cross country, and has earned Academic All-American honors in three sports. Michael was named to the 2008 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar third team. He has earned All-MIAA honors and MIAA Athlete of the Week awards in both track and cross country on multiple occasions. He is the school record holder in numerous events, including the mile, 3000 meters, and 5000 meters, and was a member of the indoor distance medley relay team that was national runnerup in March 2009.

Michael is also a multi-time member of the MIAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll. He is a member of FCA, and participated in the Christmas Adopt-A-Family Program. Michael participated in a kids field day with his team members at the Bolivar Intermediate School. He also has helped lead his team's regular bible study. During this year's outdoor track and field season, he has provisionally qualified for NCAA nationals in the mile run and the 5000 meters, and is the MIAA champion in the 5000 meters.

"I can not think of anyone more deserving of this award," said head track/cross country coach Corey McElhaney. "Michael pushes himself in every aspect of his life, whether it is his spiritual, family, academic, or athletic endeavors. He is always striving to be better. He is the type of young man any coach would want on their team and he was a crucial building block for where this team is today. His leadership and determination will be irreplaceable."

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