2008 All-NAC Men's Basketball Awards Player of the Year:   Jordan Van Ess, Marian College Rookie of the Year:   Austin Meier, MSOE Coach of the Year:   James Lancaster, Aurora University First Team All-NAC Jared Bailey, Benedictine Scott Murphy, MSOE Kris Saiberlich, Lakeland Jordan Van Ess, Marian Larry Welton, Aurora Marcus Zondag, Wisconsin Lutheran Second Team All-NAC Charlie Averkamp, Edgewood Chris DeMarco, Edgewood Mike Haiduc, Dominican Mike Knepp, Maranatha Baptist Doug Lambert, Aurora David Lipanot, Concordia Wisconsin Honorable Mention Jose Garcia, Dominican Justin Gray, Concordia Chicago Jerid Holewinski, Marian Aaron Regal, Lakeland Chad Trudo, Aurora All-Rookie Team Andrew Brown, Benedictine Brian Genslinger, Benedictine Austin Meier, MSOE Skyler Ormsbee, Aurora Deontay Young, Concordia Chicago [detailed listing]

Northern Athletics Conference men's basketball awards announced
VERONA, Wis. -- The Northern Athletics Conference has just released the All-Northern Athletics Conference awards for the 2007-08 men's basketball season.

Marian College's Jordan Van Ess (Oostburg, Wis.) was named the Northern Athletics Conference Player of the Year.

Van Ess led the Sabres (16-11, 11-3 NAC) to a second place tie in the conference standings. The senior guard/forward averaged 15.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. He shot over 53 percent from the field and over 83 percent from the free throw line.

Van Ess was also a member of the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Men's Basketball Team.

Austin Meier of MSOE was named NAC Rookie of the Year. Meier (Oshkosh, Wis.) was among the conference leaders in rebounding (6.1 rpg), field goal percentage (.580), and steals (1.6 spg). The freshman forward also averaged 11.4 points per game for the Raiders (17-10, 11-7).

For the second consecutive season, Aurora University's James Lancaster was named Northern Athletics Conference Coach of the Year. Lancaster led the Spartans (22-6, 16-2) to their second consecutive regular season conference championship, as well a trip to the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship Tournament for a second year in a row.

Aurora, ranked No. 7 in the NCAA Midwest Region, will play host Augustana College, ranked No. 1 in the Midwest Region, in Rock Island, Ill. this Friday, March 7 at 8:00pm in a first round tilt.

Northern Athletics Conference, Sports Information Department, March 4, 2008.