ST. LOUIS – For the second consecutive year, Missouri Baptist University senior Pablo Hernandez has been named the Emil S. Liston Award winner for the American Midwest Conference (AMC), the league office announced Tuesday.
 
The prestigious Emil S. Liston Award annually recognizes one male and one female basketball student-athlete of at least junior status, who excels in all three areas of athletic achievement, academic excellence and character. As a winner at the conference level, Hernandez will now represent the AMC on the ballot for the NAIA's National Emil S. Liston Award, which will be announced by the NAIA in September.
 
Heading into his senior season, Hernandez maintains a cumulative 3.60 grade-point average as a Physical Education (K-12) major. On the hardwood, the 6-7 forward has become one of the top players in the league and had his best season yet in 2017-18. Named All-AMC Second Team, Hernandez averaged 12.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game and ranked among the top 30 in the NAIA in field goal percentage (0.532). With 779 career points heading into his final season, the Spartans' captain is on pace to eclipse the 1,000-point milestone.
 
Here's what others are saying about Pablo:
 
Brad Cygan, Former MBU Assistant AD of Media & Communications:
"The one thing that always stood out to me was how people gravitated towards Pablo. He is a fan favorite not only for how hard he plays, but just as much for the sportsmanship that he displays."
 
Brett Stillman, Area Representative, St. Louis Fellowship of Christian Athletes:
"On the NAIA website, the Emil S. Liston Award is named after a man who was a "prime mover" and I believe that Pablo exemplifies that characteristic by being a prime mover on his team, in the classroom and on his campus. I engaged Pablo twice a month to lead a discussion on spiritual growth and character qualities in accordance with the program's core values of Energy, Discipline and Growth. We did an exercise known as the "Spartan Drill" in which one athlete would stand and the team would take turns sharing with that athlete the things they appreciate about him that doesn't have anything to do with his athletic ability. Pablo's sharing revealed to me someone who cares deeply about his teammates, and a person who encourages others around him well."
 
Lowell Pitzer, Faculty Athletics Representative & Assistant Professor – Education Division:
"Pablo displays loyalty, dependability, maturity and is an example specifically to his basketball teammates. His friendly, outgoing personality displayed toward others reveals that he is genuine in all of his relationships. His teammates, other students and faculty see him as a leader and model representative of MBU and the American Midwest Conference. Pablo portrays a disposition and a refreshing fervor for excellence in academics and in the sport of basketball. His persona reveals a passion to excel even when there is adversity along the way."
 
Matt Brock, Head Men's Basketball Coach:
"This year, Pablo continued to mature into a team leader. He mentored younger teammates and guided them in the tough transition to college basketball and life. On the court, he became one of the premier forwards in our conference drawing more double-teams than any player in the league. Pablo adds tremendous value to our team. As a team captain, he helped us build our culture of hard work and daily improvement. There has never been a day, workout or practice that he gave less than his best effort. He is consistent in his approach and the results reflect that."