BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Freed-Hardeman's (Tenn.) women's tennis student-athlete Morgan Brown has been named the 2025-26 Mid-South Conference Female Character First Award recipient, MSC officials announced on Monday.

Brown was selected for the honor by the conference's character committee. Each full-member institution is permitted to nominate one male and one female coach from their staff for the honor.

"There are many factors that are important qualities for student athletes to portray on and off the court; however, the five core values that speak for what individuals should model are integrity, responsibility, respect, sportsmanship, and servant leadership," Brown said. "I have learned how to appropriately use these core values as a student and as an athlete in how to interact with my peers and teammates, specifically being flexible, understanding, and communicating within my team."

Brown was Freed-Hardeman's women's tennis representative on the Mid-South Conference Champions of Character Team. She was voted by her teammates as the Outstanding Christian Example in women's tennis.

"I have had the opportunity to coach Morgan for the past four years and witness firsthand the outstanding character, leadership, and commitment she demonstrates both on and off the tennis court," Freed-Hardeman tennis coach Beth Anne Clayton said. "Perhaps what stands out most about Morgan is her character. She is the type of student-athlete who elevates those around her through her positive attitude, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to doing what is right.

Brown earned Magna Cum Laude honors while majoring in kinesiology at Freed-Hardeman. Her goal is to become an occupational therapist.

"Morgan is an exemplary woman of integrity and outstanding character," Assistant Professor of Kinesiology Gayle McDonald said. "She lives by a code of conduct in which she treats other people, as she wants to be treated. She is responsible, honest, loyal, and trustworthy. She is an encourager, a person who respects others, and who wants to serve and help others."

Brown becomes the first Freed-Hardeman student-athlete to earn the Mid-South Conference's Female Character First Award.