The KCAC last week named 11 Spires Football players to all-conference teams for their strong play during the recently-completed season, and named USM's Head Football Coach Lance Hinson as co-winner of the conference's Football Coach of the Year award.

Coach Hinson, who's served as USM's head coach since 2005, shares the Coach of the Year award with Kent Kessinger, coach of KCAC regular season champs Ottawa University.

"I was honored and humbled by our conference coaches electing me as the co-Coach of the Year along with Coach Kessinger," Coach Hinson said. "It is truly an award based on the hard work and efforts of our team, coaches, and athletic department staff. Coaching is just like playing the game of football—it's a team sport, and you're only successful if you're surrounded with people who work and care about the team's success as much as you do."

Earning First Team All-Conference designations were: quarterback Mike Keese, receiver Fred Edison, receiver Billy Owens, and linebacker Cris Basch.

Defensive lineman Opetia Tuiava was named to the KCAC's Second Team All-Conference.

Spires named as Honorable Mention were: running back Kameron Ridley, offensive lineman Alan Gudka, offensive lineman Logan Fritz, defensive lineman Jacob Stout, defensive back Nick Ruiz, and kicker/punter Bobby Schattle.

"We broke a lot of records this year: most wins, most passing and receiving yards, and most conference players of the week," Coach Hinson said. "This was a great year for Spires Football, and we should all be proud of the accomplishments of our student-athletes."

The Spires finished the season second in the KCAC with a 7-2 conference mark and a 7-4 record overall. Congrats, Spires, on a great season!