BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- University of Charleston men's soccer standout Conor Branson has been named again as the Mountain East Conference Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Branson, who was selected among the 12 finalists for the award announced last week, was also the MEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2014-15.

Branson, a native of Pontefract, England, earned consensus first team All-America playing honors and first team Capital One Academic All-America accolades for a second-consecutive season. He also repeated as the MEC Defensive Player of the Year while helping the Golden Eagles to the MEC regular season and tournament titles, as well as return trip to the NCAA semifinals. At the championship, Branson received the Elite 90 Award given to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 90 championships. He finished the 2015 campaign with four goals and four assists and helped lead the UC defense to 14 shutouts. 

Branson maintained a 3.98 grade-point average during the season while pursuing a graduate degree in Business Administration. He is currently playing professionally with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the United Soccer League (USL). 

The MEC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year is selected by a vote of institutional administrators and the conference office. The Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be announced tomorrow. 

2015-16 MEC Award Winners
Male Sports Coach of the Year: Monte Cater (Shepherd, Football)
Female Sports Coach of the Year: Christy Benner (Wheeling Jesuit, Volleyball)
Male Athlete of the Year: Seger Bonifant (West Liberty, Men's Basketball)
Female Athlete of the Year: Courtney Iacobacci (Fairmont State, Softball)
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year: Conor Branson (University of Charleston, Soccer)