Charlotte, N.C. (May 29, 2007) -- Coleman Lew & Associates, Inc., a national executive search firm, and the Southern Conference, the nation's fifth oldest NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association, announced the selection of 22 student athletes as recipients of the second annual Coleman Lew Leadership Award.

The award recognizes scholar-athletes from each of the Southern Conference's 11 member institutions. Coaches, faculty athletic representatives and senior woman administrators nominate prospective candidates based on leadership, academic excellence and athletic achievement in both the college environment and the community. Athletic directors and representatives from Coleman Lew & Associates conducted one-on-one interviews with the finalists before determining the award recipients.

Recipients will be recognized at the Southern Conference Honors Dinner on Wednesday, May 30 at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Hilton Head, S.C.

According to Chuck Lew, managing partner of Coleman Lew & Associates, "These student athletes represent the very best in leadership, academic performance and athletic skill. Our firm, as an educational partner with the Southern Conference, is proud to acknowledge these excellent leaders."

John Iamarino, conference commissioner said, "We are grateful to Coleman Lew & Associates for their commitment to honoring Southern Conference student-athletes. These young men and women represent the leadership qualities that all collegiate institutions strive to instill in their students."

The 2007 Coleman Lew Leadership Award recipients are:

Coleman Lew & Associates, Inc., founded in 1979, is a retained executive search firm that recruits board members, officers and senior level executives for a diverse group of national and international companies. Member of the AESC.

The Southern Conference is the nation's fifth-oldest NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association. The Southern Conference has excelled as the premier football championship subdivision conference. The league sponsors championships in 19 sports including: men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, football, men's and women's indoor track & field, men's and women's basketball, wrestling, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's outdoor track & field, softball and baseball.