Taking the honor as the 2008 AMC Newcomer of the Year is Frank Rodriguez, also from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Rodriguez, a junior midfielder from Springfield, Ill., registered three goals and seven assists for 13 points as the league's top transfer player. Rodriguez showed his versatility for the Prairie Stars by playing several games at defender in 2008. This marks the fourth time overall - and second year in a row - that a player from Illinois-Springfield has earned the AMC Newcomer of the Year honor.

The AMC Freshman of the Year for 2008 is Dylan Barduzzi from Columbia College. Barduzzi, a forward from Florianopolis, Brazil, enjoyed a solid rookie campaign with 11 goals and nine assists for 31 points in regular-season play. Barduzzi was a three-time AMC Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week recipient in 2008. This is the first time since 2003 that a Cougar player has earned the AMC's freshman award, when Stephen McMullen grabbed the honor.

For the second consecutive year, Tim Strange of McKendree University has been selected as the AMC Men's Soccer Coach of the Year. Now in his 15^th season as the head coach for the Bearcats' men's soccer program, Strange led the Bearcats to a 13-3-2 overall record and 6-1 AMC mark in 2008. McKendree claimed its second consecutive AMC regular-season title and the team has been ranked among the NAIA top 15 throughout the year. Strange was also picked as the 2008 AMC Women's Soccer Coach of the Year earlier this week.

The AMC Fair Play and Sportsmanship Award is also voted upon by the conference coaches. This annual award is presented to the program that exhibits those qualities. The 2008 AMC men's soccer Fair Play and Sportsmanship Award winner is Williams Baptist College.

Jorge Mojica, Williams Baptist College (So., Berryville, Ark.)

Steve Brocks, William Woods University (Jr., Portsmouth, U.K.)