NEW ORLEANS – Colby Sawyer, the 11-year-old inspiration to the University of South Alabama football team and recent signee with the program, earned recognition from the Sun Belt Conference as he was named the Honorary Sun Belt Football Player of the week on Monday.

Sawyer signed his National Letter-of-Intent with USA a week ago and made his first appearance with the Jags in Saturday's contest against Texas State.  Despite falling down early, Sawyer and the Jags rallied to defeat the Bobcats as they moved to 6-4 on the season.

Sawyer signed with South Alabama as part of Team Impact, which helps match kids with chronic or life-threatening illnesses to teams. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in June 2012 and had over a year of chemotherapy treatments.  Sawyer is a patient at USA Children's and Women's Hospital.

His recognition by the Sun Belt Conference and his NLI signing is only part of Sawyer's recent experience with the USA football program.  Shortly after inking his papers, Sawyer was presented his own locker, a jersey and other USA team items.

"Colby has impressed all of us throughout the Sun Belt with his spirit for the Jags and his inspiration to the team," said Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson.  "Colby is unquestionably deserving of this award and all of the recognition that he has received."

Team IMPACT's mission is to match kids facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses with teams throughout the United States. So far they have placed 560 kids with 280 schools in 37 states, one of their latest being Sawyer.

Derek Westbrook, who is a member of the student athlete advisory committee (SAAC), had a part in helping make this possible. The senior attended the Sun Belt's SAAC conference this past summer in New Orleans, La. as a representative from South Alabama.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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