Bethel College men’s basketball standout Matt Schauss was named the Crossroads League male Athlete of the Year.

HARTFORD CITY – The Crossroads League announced Friday the 2014-15 male Student-Athlete of the Year award winner is Bethel College men’s basketball player Matt Schauss.

Schauss, a four-year standout from Greens Fork, Indiana, averaged 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game during the 2014-15 campaign while leading Bethel to a 27-7 record and trip to the NAIA National Tournament. Schauss shot 49.5 percent from the field, 37.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 81.4 percent from the free throw line. Schauss also ranked third in the NAIA in defensive rebounds per game with 7.3.

Schauss was rewarded for his efforts on the floor with the following awards: Crossroads League Men’s Basketball Player of the Year, First Team All-Crossroads League selection, four-time Crossroads League Player of the Week, NAIA DII National Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, NAIA First Team All-American, and NCCAA First Team All-American. Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury, Schauss ended his career with 1,963 points, 779 rebounds and 551 assists.

J.D. Collins, Crossroads League Commissioner, said, “Matt Schauss is an excellent choice for the Crossroads League male Student-Athlete of the Year. His performance on and off the court was exemplary, both this year and over the last four years. Matt’s injury at the end of the season was a real bummer. I was at the game he was injured in and my heart ached for him. This award is an acknowledgement of his excellence.”

Schauss, who finished his career with a 3.75 grade point average while majoring in Exercise Science, was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete, NCCAA Scholar-Athlete, Academic All-Crossroads League, Co-SIDA Capital One Academic All-American First Team, and Co-SIDA Capital one Academic All-American of the Year. Schauss is currently earning his Transition to Teaching degree where he wants to teach and coach basketball at the high school level.

Mike Lightfoot, head men’s basketball coach at Bethel College, added about Schauss, “I’m very proud of Matt on his tremendous accomplishment. He disciplined himself spiritually, academically and athletically on a daily basis while at Bethel and those efforts have paid off. Through overcoming adversity and setbacks, it was truly special to watch first-hand how he grew and developed during his time at Bethel. I couldn’t be happier for Matt and his family.”