Charleston, S.C. The Citadel Director of Sports Medicine Andy Clawson will be one of three men who will receive the prestigious Palmetto Award on Saturday, March 14 during Corps Day festivities at The Citadel.

The Palmetto Award is one of the highest honors The Military College of South Carolina can bestow. It is presented annually by The Citadel Board of Visitors to cadets, faculty, staff or alumni in recognition of exceptional performance that reflects great credit on the college or the state of South Carolina. This year's Palmetto Award recipients are Clawson, Cadet Lt. Col. Jade M.E. Roy, and Director of Academic Leadership Programs Brig. Gen. Harrison S. Carter.

Clawson became The Citadel's first sports medicine director 36 years ago and continues to serve the college and its athletes with enthusiasm and selflessness. A native of El Dorado, Ark., Clawson received both his bachelor's and master's in education and physical education from Henderson State.

In 2002, he was recognized by his alma mater with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Clawson has been recognized with the Charleston Metro Sports Council's Achievement Award, the Fred Hoover Award, the highest sports medicine-related honor given in the state of South Carolina; and The Citadel's Outstanding Service Award. Clawson also has served as athletic trainer for the 1976 USA Basketball Team Olympic Trials and volunteered his services for the 1996 Special Olympic World Games.

Corps Day 2009 marks the 166th birthday of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. Activities began Thursday with the annual Principled Leadership Symposium and conclude Saturday morning. The Palmetto Awards will be presented during Saturday's military dress parade, which begins at 11 a.m. on Summerall Field.