Macon, GA - 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 (male) and the Rita Wiggs Award (female). Baseball student-athlete Zach Lyon has earned the conference's highest honor by being a recipient of the Don Scalf Award and becomes the second Wesleyan athlete to win this award. 

The award is named after the late 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 University. He also served as Athletic Director at N.C. Wesleyan for six years. During his coaching career, his teams won Conference basketball and golf championships. In addition, he was a founding father of the League in 1963 and served as its Secretary-Treasurer for 25 years. The Scalf Award honoree is also the Conference's nominee for the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) Men's Sports Student-Athlete of the Year.

Lyon was a four-year member of the Battling Bishop baseball program, appearing in a total of 141 games. He was a three-time All-Conference performer, including an appearance on this past season's Conference All-Tournament team, and was named All-Region following the 2023 campaign. Lyon helped lead N.C. Wesleyan to three consecutive League Regular Season titles and, this past year, the program's first Tournament title since 2009. The Battling Bishops made two NCAA Tournament appearances during Lyon's time in Rocky Mount. Academically, Lyon was a four-time member of the USA South Academic All-Conference Team and appeared on the N.C. Wesleyan Dean's and President's Lists several semesters. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration with a 3.87 GPA. A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Lyon assisted in his community in several ways, including working with Building Shalom which helped repair homes of those in need. Additionally, Lyon participated in a local ministry's youth lock-in as well as a Christmas toy drive with the Peacemakers of Rocky Mount which is a Christian community development organization serving deprived areas.

What they are saying...

"I would like to first thank God for making this possible and my family for supporting me throughout my academic and athletic journey. To receive this award is a tremendous honor and with hard work, perseverance, and faith anything can be achieved." - Zach Lyon

"I'm so happy for Zach as he has represented this University and our baseball program with the utmost class since he stepped on campus. It has been a pleasure to watch him grow as player and person these past five years. He will be hard to replace as a player, leader, and teammate." - Greg Clifton, N.C. Wesleyan Baseball Head Coach