Leslie Thomas of the Marshall University women’s track and field team has been named the Marshall University recipient of the winter Conference USA Spirit of Service Award, as announced by league officials.
The winter Spirit of Service Award is given to one student-athlete of the 12 affiliate schools who donate their time with community service efforts, along with good academic standing and participation in their elected sport. Winter sports include: men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor track & field, rifle and men’s and women’s swimming.
Thomas, one of the Thundering Herd’s top distance runners, is very active in the local Huntington area. She volunteers at Amache where she mentors a sixth grade girl and helps her stay on path. She is also involved with the Ebenezer Learning Center which works with young kids who come from a lower income background.
An active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Thomas has also found time to volunteer at the Common Grounds Soup Kitchen. She will be donating her hair to “Hair-for Herd” in the upcoming weeks.
A Biology major with a Women’s Studies minor, Thomas carries a 3.68 GPA. The sophomore, Montgomery, W.Va., native was a member of the C-USA Commissioners Honor Roll has a freshman.
On the track, Thomas has a personal best time of 10:40 in the 3,000 meter run and an 18:24 in the 5,000 meter run.
Jordan Hilgefort of the Marshall University men’s soccer team was the fall Spirit of Service Award winner.
2011 Winter Spirit of Service Award Winners:
Andrew Stoker, East Carolina, Men’s Swimming
Roxana Button, Houston, Women’s Basketball
Leslie Thomas, Marshall, Women’s Indoor Track & Field
Will Coleman, Memphis, Men’s Basketball
Farah Madanay, Rice, Women’s Indoor Track & Field
Sascha Van den Branden, SMU, Women’s Swimming
Chastity Riggien, Southern Miss, Women’s Indoor Track & Field
Geoff Hogan, Tulane, Men’s Basketball
Kensey Hall, Tulsa, Women’s Basketball
Robert Williams, UAB, Men’s Basketball
Jelisa Caldwell, UCF, Women’s Basketball
Hannah Muegge, UTEP, Rifle