BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England women's cross country team has been chosen to receive the Eastern College Athletic Conference's (ECAC) inaugural Scotty Whitelaw Sportsmanship Award. The award will be presented at the annual ECAC Honors Dinner on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis in Massachusetts.

The award -- named after former ECAC Commissioner Robert M. "Scotty" Whitelaw -- exemplifies positive traits in intercollegiate sports. This award honors student-athletes for their virtues such as fairness, integrity, selflessness, respect, and a sense of fellowship with opponents.

Members of the UNE women's cross country team came to the aid of a stricken competitor at last year's ECAC Championship (Nov. 6, 2010) held at Colt State Park in Bristol, R.I. By doing so, they sacrificed their own personal times, but did end up finishing the race. (Click here to view related story).

"We are very honored to have been selected to receive this prestigious award," commented UNE Interim Director of Athletics Curt Smyth. "The selfless act performed by our student-athletes exemplifies sportsmanship at its highest level, and is something of which we are extremely proud."

Representing UNE at the ECAC Awards Dinner will be head coach Ron Ouellette, assistant coach Jerry Mullin, seniors Jess Partlow (Hopkinton, N.H.) and Heather Pederson (Woolwich, Maine) and junior Lindsay Forrette (Chicopee, Mass.).

To view the official release from the ECAC, click HERE.