CROOKSTON, Minn. – Harrison Cleary (Jr., G, Oak Creek, Wis.) of the men's basketball team, and Malia Pula (Jr., UT, Gilroy, Calif.) were named UMC Teambackers Student-Athletes of the Month for February. Pula is a first-time honoree, while Cleary has earned the accolade four times this season and in four consecutive months.

Cleary helped the Golden Eagles to a 4-5 mark in February, including an upset win over Augustana University in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament, for the men's basketball programs first-ever NSIC Tournament victory. Cleary averaged 22.0 points per game on the month, while shooting 40.1 percent from the field, and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc. Cleary became the school's all-time leading scorer during the month of February, surpassing all-time Golden Eagle great Joe Hasz. He finished his junior season slotted third all-time in NSIC scoring history. He also earned his second-straight All-NSIC First Team nod.

Pula hit .350 on the month with seven runs scored, one home run and 10 RBIs. Her one home run in the month was a grand slam to help the Golden Eagles to a win over MSU Moorhead Feb. 23. Pula was 2-of-4 with six RBIs, and one run scored in the victory over the Dragons. Pula had a .381 on-base percentage and a .500 slugging percentage for the Golden Eagles. She was 2-of-4 with two runs scored Feb. 10 against Black Hills State University. The transfer from West Valley College has helped the Golden Eagles to a 6-10 mark through their first 16 games. The softball program has already tied their wins mark from 2018. Minnesota Crookston is off to their best start since the 2017 slate as they opened with a 7-9 mark.

The UMC Teambackers Student-Athlete Award is in the third season as a monthly award. It was made a monthly award during the 2016-17 season after being awarded on a weekly basis the prior three years.
 
February – Harrison Cleary (MBB) and Malia Pula (SOFT)
January – Harrison Cleary (MBB) and Isieoma Odor (WBB)
December – Harrison Cleary (MBB) and Isieoma Odor (WBB)
November – Harrison Cleary (MBB) and Isieoma Odor (WBB)
October – Skyler Quinn (FB) and Whitney Fenna (Western Equestrian)
September – Andy Groebner (FB) and Maggee Hodgdon (WSOC)