June 23, 2008

A member of the Air Force rifle team was one of 34 Academy recipients of the Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete Award 2007-08. Justin Raines a senior from Knoxville, Tenn., received the honor as announced on June 23, 2008 by the league office. Raines held a cumulative grade point average of 3.84 in Systems Engineering Management.

Raines was a four-time varsity letter winner and was the rifle team's captain in 2007-08. Raines graduated from the Academy in May and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the USAF. Raines was also a three-time academic all-American and an ESPN Magazine Academic All-District VII. This is his second MWC Scholar-Athlete honor (2005-06).

The Mountain West Conference announced its 2007-08 Scholar-Athlete Award recipients today. A total of 506 student-athletes were honored, including 20 individuals who have achieved a 4.00 or higher cumulative grade point average over two or more terms. Additionally, 41 student-athletes were recognized in multiple sports, bringing the overall number of awards presented to 547.

The MWC Scholar-Athlete Award is the highest academic honor bestowed by the Conference. To be eligible for selection, student-athletes must have completed at least two academic terms at the member institution, while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better, and have participated in varsity competition in an NCAA-sponsored sport.