Recognizing one of the all-time premier members of the Tennessee State Flying Tigers and TSU's first Male Athlete of the Year.

In 2004, sprinter Nick Horton made history by becoming TSU's first Male Athlete of the Year. The award was given to Horton for a combination of his running ability, community service and work in the classroom.

On the track, Horton set a handful of TSU and OVC records including the 200-meter dash in a time of 20.9 seconds and the 400-meter in 46.69 seconds. He was a three-time OVC Male Track Athlete of the Year earning the Indoor and Outdoor awards in 2003 then picking up Athlete of the Year honors for the Indoor season in 2004. He also earned an invitation to compete in the 2004 United States Olympic Trials.

When Horton won the Male Track Athlete of the Year Award, he became only the fourth player ever to accomplish the feat. As the team's best runner that year, Horton led the Tigers to a fourth place finish in the conference by setting a pair of Lantz Fieldhouse records.

After winning the 200 and 400-meter dashes, Horton also helped the 4 x 400 relay team win gold with a time of 3:13:39- nearly two whole seconds faster than the competition.

Throughout his career, Horton was named OVC Male Track Athlete of the Week three times.

In the other criteria of being named TSU Male Athlete of the Year, Horton served his community by being a member of the Tennessee State Criminal Justice Organization. During his time with the organization, Horton helped raise money for needy families during Thanksgiving.

Horton, a native of Milwaukee, Wis., was apart of the Wisconsin Alliance, where he was honored as Mr. Wisconsin for his dedication to the organization. He also donated his time to read to elementary and middle-school aged children.

Horton won TSU Male Athlete of the Year in the award's inaugural year by being selected by the Tennessee State coaching and administration staff.

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