COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. – The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recently awarded Elon basketball players Ali Ford and Brett Ervin with its annual All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year award. This award recognizes student-athletes dedication to strength and conditioning.
Ford, a junior guard from Morganton, N.C., led Elon in scoring this past season at 14.5 points per game, good for third in the Southern Conference. Ford set the program and SoCon record for career three-pointers made this past season and moved into third all-time in Elon history in scoring with 1,498 points. Ford also earned all-conference honors for the third straight season in 2011-12.
“Ali is a tireless worker in the weight room,” said Elon assistant strength and conditioning coach Aaron Craft. “She has no quit in her and is always trying to improve. She does extra work anytime she can and has dramatically improved at every testing variable. She takes the effort she has on the practice floor and applies it to the weight room every time she comes in. Ali is consistently the first girl in and the last one to leave. Her heart really inspires those around her to work harder.”
Irvin, a junior forward out of Clarksburg, W.Va., helped the Phoenix to a second-place finish in the Southern Conference North Division in 2011-12. He saw action in all 31 games, averaging 4.4 points and 2.7 rebounds. Irvin dumped in 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting at Samford while also grabbing seven rebounds. The big man also hit 25 three-pointers this past season.
“Brett has a special work ethic that cannot be overlooked,” Craft commented. “He has increased strength levels in three months of offseason work. He brings an enthusiasm to the weight room everyday and never lets up. Brett has become a leader in and out of the weight room and a real example of how to attack a program to get better.”
The NSCA awarded 225 collegiate and high school athletes from 90 schools this year.