University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lawrence and Pears Earn Scholarships
8/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Lawrence and Pears Earn Scholarships
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - As is customary each year for the Southern Miss football program, Head Coach Jeff Bower awards a scholarship to one or more walk-on football players because of their hard work, dedication and persistence. This year is no different as wide receiver Daron Lawrence and defensive end LeVon Pears have earned a scholarship.
In Bower's 13 years as head coach, 37 former walk-on players have been awarded scholarships. These two players were awarded the Kristen Bower Endowed Scholarship, given annually to players who excel through dedication, hard work and sacrifice with special preference given to "walk-on" players, who earn scholarships.
"The day when we award scholarships to walk-ons is always my favorite time of the year," Bower said. "When we bring these players in, it is difficult to measure their heart and the intangibles. It's great to see the players who come here knowing they have to pay their way through school, and in turn, pay the price and sacrifice and persevere, knowing that through that they can achieve anything.
"I am most proud of these two football players. Through their hard work and dedication, they put themselves in a position to be productive members of the team. These players are like the other former walk-ons who have earned scholarships. It was great to see when the announcement was made how the whole team gave them a standing ovation. These players are highly respected by their teammates and it showed."
Lawrence has earned the starting wide receiver job for the 2003 season. He played in three games in 2001 at receiver and two games in 2002. Known as one of the hardest workers on the team, he was awarded the team's most improved offensive player in the spring of 2003. A good student in the classroom, he is majoring in radio, television and film.
Pears played in 11 games in 2001, seeing time in 164 plays and played in 13 games in 2002, seeing time in 224 plays. He registered 35 tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups over the two years. Also an excellent student in the classroom, he is a coaching and sport administration major.
