Christensen named SAC Scholar Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Mars Hill University's Jeppe Christensen was voted the 2021 South Atlantic Conference Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Conference office announced today. 

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The winners are selected based on their achievements in academics, athletics, service, and leadership.

Christensen, a senior business administration major, has a 3.965 GPA and is a four-time Mars Hill Dean's List selection. He has been named to the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll each of the last four years and was selected as a Mars Hill Marshall.

"Jeppe embodies the phrase student-athlete, and I am extremely excited for him to receive this award from the South Atlantic Conference this year," said Mars Hill head men's soccer coach Gregg Munn. "Time and time again, Jeppe sets the bar in our program for others to reach in both athletics and academics. We are very proud of him for receiving this award, he has certainly earned it."

On the field, Christensen was a 2020-21 second team All-SAC selection as a defender. A two-time team captain, he played and started in all six matches this spring leading the Lions to a berth in the SAC Men's Soccer Spring Tournament. He anchored a defense that allowed just 2.01 goals per game and recorded two shutouts in the spring of 2021. Christensen finished the season with five shots, including three on goal. 

A native of Aalborg, Denmark, Christensen has embraced his home away from home and has become very active in the Mars Hill community. He has served as a youth sports volunteer at the Asheville YMCA, has participated in the Mars Hill Community Children "Trunk or Treat" event, and in Mar Hill's Black Lives Matter March. He served as a volunteer at the Mars Hill Baptist Church and at the Mars Hill Elementary School Sports Clinic.  

Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete Finalists

Bryce Goodwyn, Anderson

Daniel Kuper, Wingate

Jaden McCane, Queens

Victor Cascon, Lenoir-Rhyne