Calen Anderson of the University of St. Thomas-Houston, a senior forward on the Men’s Basketball team, has been selected as the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Character and Community Male Student-Athlete of the Week for the week of January 23.

The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student athletes who excel in athletics and serve their campus and community.

When Anderson, a native of League City, Texas, isn’t scoring baskets or dunking on opponents, you can find him actively engaged in his school, youth and basketball community. On top of being an involved Celt on campus, he tutors students in different subjects to help improve their academic performance and coaches them in the sport he plays.

An impressive student, he is earning his BBA/MBA in General Business and a minor in Entrepreneurship. Anderson also works with students of all backgrounds in various volunteer and internship opportunities, just about anything you can think of. This helps him bridge the gap between students and athletes and build healthy relationships within the St. Thomas community.

Anderson believes that character helps him and his team win. The accomplished athlete credits his coach as a role model for good character. He states that Head Men’s Basketball Coach Anthony Medina helps embody UST’s core values of goodness, discipline, knowledge and community. This has helped shaped him into the person he is today.

This year, Anderson was recognized by the University of St. Thomas as “Mr. UST”- a distinction given to the male student who exemplifies what it means to be a Celt. One of his favorite parts of being at UST is bringing people together from all backgrounds. “I have been able to bridge the gap between student athletes and other students. Most athletes stay in their respective bubbles and don’t focus much attention outside of their sports commitment. Still, I find joy in community and connecting with as many different individuals as I can.”