June 30, 2005

MILWAUKEE - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee soccer standout Antou Jallow has been named the male recipient of the 2005 Horizon League Cecil M. Coleman Medal of Honor.

Jallow is the fifth UWM student-athlete since 1998 to win the highest honor handed out by the Horizon League. Women's soccer star Lisa Krzykowski won the award that year, while track and field standout Paul McGinley won the award in 2000. Jonathan Manke of the track and field team and Erin Blaedow of the women's soccer team each won the award in 2002. The five award-winners since 1998 are the most by any League school.

"This is the perfect way to cap off a wonderful career for Antou in Milwaukee," UWM Athletic Director Bud Haidet said. "Antou has performed at a remarkable level both on the field and in the classroom, and all along has been a tremendous representative of both the University and the Horizon League. We are all very proud of Antou and could not be happier to see him win this award."

"This is obviously a well-deserved award," UWM head men's soccer coach Louis Bennett said. "It was a pleasure to coach someone who was both a super player and a super student. Antou worked extremely hard for all of the individual honors and awards he has received, but he always did so with the team as his top priority. I can't think of a better representative of the University and the Horizon League than Antou."

Jallow topped off his collegiate career as the Panthers' and the Horizon League's all-time leading goal scorer, notching 60 goals to go with 133 career points. He was named the 2002 and 2004 Horizon League Player of the Year and earned All-Horizon League First Team honors three times. He was named National Soccer Coaches Association Third Team All-American and First Team All-Region in 2002 and again received all-region recognition in 2004. Jallow has signed a professional contract in the Swedish Premier League and was drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.

Jallow also excelled in the classroom, earning 2004 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-American First Team honors as well the 2004 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District Team honors. Jallow was also part of the National Soccer Coaches Association/Adidas Third Team Scholar All-American Team in 2004. In 2003, he was a member of the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-American Second Team and was named 2003 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team. He is a three time Academic All-Horizon League honoree and a four-time UWM Scholar-Athlete with Distinction.

In his free time, Jallow took part in elementary and middle school speaking engagements and reading programs. He has participated in neighborhood clean-up activities, Toys for Tots and has been active in clothing drives. Jallow also has contributed his time to the renovation of buildings for a local youth soccer program and with youth soccer clinics.

The Coleman Award is presented annually to the League's top male and female student-athletes who best exemplify the dignity and high purpose of the League and its membership. The individuals demonstrate outstanding achievement in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.

Candidates must be a senior who has exhausted his/her eligibility and was a participant on the varsity level in a League-sponsored sport. In addition, nominees must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent.

Butler's Victoria Mitchell, who won a national championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, is this year's female recipient of the award.

"We are exceptionally proud of what Victoria and Antou have accomplished in their collegiate careers," Horizon League Commissioner Jon LeCrone said. "While athletes so often get praised for their work on the court or on the field, the Coleman Award recognizes athletes for their character and tireless efforts in the classroom and community."