LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Former University of Kentucky softball player Meghan Cooper has been named the 2006 Southeastern Conference winner of the NCAA Sportsmanship Award.

Cooper was selected by the SEC as the female representative to the NCAA for the award which honors student-athletes who, through their actions in the competitive arena of intercollegiate athletics. Each of the nominees exemplified the good sportsmanship that characterizes the highest level of respect, caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility during competition. The award is administered by the Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct formed in 1997.

To be nominated, candidates must have demonstrated consistently good sportsmanship and ethical behavior in his/her daily participation in intercollegiate athletics. The student-athlete must have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting and must be in good academic standing.

?Meghan was such a great example of what a well rounded student-athlete is here at the University of Kentucky,? said head coach Eileen Schmidt. ?She worked hard on the field and in the classroom. This university, and certainly our program, are so proud of what Meghan has accomplished and continues to accomplish post graduation. We are honored to call her alumni.?

Cooper was inducted into the Frank G. ham Society of Character and was a perennial member of the Dean?s List and the SEC Honor Roll. She was awarded the State Farm Post Graduate Scholarship and graduated magna cum laude in May with a degree in history.

Cooper was active in the community, as well. Her numerous activities include the Richmond Retirement Center pancake breakfast; the Hope Center; Kentucky’s Children?s Hospital Bingo; Special Olympics bowling; walk against child abuse; UK Athletics food drive; God?s Pantry; Northern Elementary Fall Festival; and Race for the Cure.