Peter Morrison (JR/Fort Wayne, IN) has been named the 2018-19 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) A.O. Duer Award recipients. The prestigious award, sponsored by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and named after former NAIA executive director Al Duer, recognizes a junior female and male student-athlete who excels in character, playing ability, and scholarship. Hayley Newman earned the female recognition as the two are now forwarded to the NAIA for national consideration.

Morrison, a quarterback for Concordia's football team, made history with his award. The WHAC doesn't sponsor the sport of football, so Concordia plays in the Mid-States Football Association, which makes Morrison the first conference winner from a non-WHAC sport.

In his first year at CUAA, he was the first freshman to be voted as a family leader for the team and led 10 teammates through the spring semester, holding them accountable to team standards and community project. The next year, he was voted as a team captain. With the help of his leadership, the Cardinals finished the season ranked sixth in the country with a program-best 10-3 record, losing in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Football Championship Series.

Morrison was also selected to work an experiential learning opportunity in Atlanta for Leadercast, the world's largest one-day leadership event streamed worldwide. He interacted with guests and maintained the social media accounts during the event.

"Personally, as a father whose young boys look up to college students, I have watched my sons seek to imitate Peter," reflected CUAA Chief Executive Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson. "They want to 'be like Peter' and knowing Peter as I do, I could not be more pleased with their desire to emulate this wise, humble, and gracious man."

In addition to his leadership on the field, Morrison carries a 3.75 GPA majoring in management while being heavily involved in Athletes in Action and serving as a student worker in the University's Career Engagement and Industry Relations office. During his spare time, he volunteers at a local church.

"Peter's combination of hard work and positive attitude has had a tremendous impact on the dynamics of his team," said athletics director Lonnie Pries. "He is the type of student-athlete we want to build our programs around."