University of the Cumberlands (UC) Head Football Coach Matt Rhymer is this year's male recipient of the Mid-South Conference (MSC) "Coaching for Significance" award as announced by the MSC at the annual MSC summer meetings on Wednesday.  

This honor is given to one male and one female recipient each year.  The award is voted on by the Mid-South Conference Athletic Directors and is presented to a coach who is an outstanding teacher, an exemplary role model, and a dynamic leader.  The recipient is characterized as a catalyst for uniting players into a single, selfless team that accomplishes memorable feats and as a coach who earns the trust and respect of student-athletes, making a profound impact on their lives both on and off the playing fields.

Coach Rhymer has been a part of UC for many years, including time as a player, assistant coach, and currently as head coach of the Patriot football program.  Rhymer continuously presents himself as a selfless person who always has the best interest of others first at hand.  He does this at numerous levels including work with UC organizations such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Mountain Outreach along with local involvement including at Main Street Baptist Church and in the Williamsburg community. 

UC coaching colleague and Head Baseball Coach Brad Shelton assisted in the nominating process for Rhymer.  "I can think of no one more deserving of this honor on our campus than Matt Rhymer," said Shelton.  "I have never met a coach who cares about the physical, mental, academic, and spiritual future of young people more than Coach Rhymer.  While our team has had successful seasons on the football field during his time as coach, his impact on the players, our campus and community have been the greatest success."

Rhymer's players have taken their coach's actions by example.  Many Patriots now contribute at local churches and organizations while many show gratitude on campus as they support other athletic programs along with UC organizations.  Many players have helped with numerous on-campus projects by some of UC's groups including Baptist Campus Ministries, Mountain Outreach, and Appalachian Ministries. 

Athletic Director-Elect Chris Kraftick supports the work Rhymer does both on and off the field commenting,  "It's an honor and a privilege to have Matt as a member of the coaching staff at University of the Cumberlands where his servant leadership goes above and beyond the X's and O's of the game of football into the game of life."

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