(FAYETTEVILLE, NC) - Each year the USA South Athletic Conference presents its most prestigious awards by honoring one male and one female as the Student-Athletes of the Year. These student-athletes are recognized as recipients of the Don Scalf Award. The 2012 winners are Averett University volleyball player Paige Aaron and Ferrum College baseball player Paul Jaglowski.

To be eligible for the Don Scalf Award a student-athlete must be either a junior or senior, have participated in a USA South sport earning at least All-Conference recognition and have a minimum 3.00 GPA. The athletic directors vote for the award winner each spring at the conclusion of all Conference schedules.

This award is named in honor of Don Scalf, whose commitment to the student-athlete, guardianship of the value of academic achievement and devotion to the principles of Division III athletics set a standard that holds steadfast in the Conference today. He taught for 36 years and coached for 18 at N.C. Wesleyan College. He also served as Athletic Director at N.C. Wesleyan for six years. During his coaching career his teams won Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference basketball and golf championships. In addition, he was a founding father of the DIAC in 1963 and served as its Secretary-Treasurer for 25 years.

Paige Aaron - Averett University

Aaron concluded her junior season this past fall on the volleyball court. She is a two-time All-Conference performer as a libero, earning third-team honors this past season to go along with honorable mention accolades in 2010. In the classroom, Aaron has compiled a perfect 4.0 grade point average and is a three-time member of the USA South All-Academic Team. This past fall, she was one of just six juniors in the country to be selected as a volleyball Academic All-American. As Vice-President of Averett's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Aaron has assisted in several community service projects and compiled 130 service hours this past spring alone. Off campus, she assists with clinics at local grade schools, meeting and mentoring young volleyball players, as well as working with Special Olympics.

Paul Jaglowski - Ferrum College

Jaglowski's collegiate career came to a close this spring on the baseball diamond. He succeeded greatly both on and off the field. In the classroom, the senior compiled a 3.93 grade point average. He received his fourth consecutive USA South All-Academic Team accolade this season and become just the second-ever Panther to be named a First Team Academic All-American. This past spring, Jaglowski was the winner of Ferrum's Douglas W. Foard Award which is given to the institution's top International Studies student. He has appeared on Ferrum's Dean's List eight times and earned Academic All-State accolades three times. Athletically, Jaglowski was a three-time All-Conference performer and this past season's Player of the Year. He also earned All-Region accolades in 2012 in addition to Ferrum President's Cup which is awarded annually to the College's top graduating student-athlete. Off campus, Jaglowski taught Economics and English to upper-level students in Haiti for several years and acted as a liaison between potential donors in the United States and an orphanage in Haiti.