WILSON, N.C. -- For the third consecutive year, Anderson University is the winner of the Messick Award, the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference announced at its spring meeting at Barton College Wednesday afternoon. The Messick Award, voted on by the league's head coaches, is given annually to the CVAC school with the highest sportsmanship rating. During the voting, the coaches are asked to evaluate game management and the behavior of student-athletes, coaches, and fans at the CVAC member institutions. The school with the highest rating receives the Messick Award. "I'm proud of our coaches and our student-athletes for representing Anderson University in a first-class manner both at home and on the road," said AU athletic director Bobby Beville. "It is a major accomplishment to win this award three years in a row."