Virginia Union University's Bobby Gardner has been named the CIAA Men's Basketball Rookie of the Year, it was announced at the CIAA Tournament Awards Banquet on Sunday, February 23, in Baltimore, Md.

Gardner averaged 6.9 points and 3.2 rebounds per game this past season for the Panthers.

"We've been blessed to have a lot of freshmen make the all-rookie team but this is the first time with Bobby Gardner making Rookie of the Year," said VUU Head Men's Basketball Coach Jay Butler.  "Bobby has worked really hard to get into the rotation as freshman and he's done a great job in his first year in the program. I'm looking forward to seeing his growth in the CIAA tournament and the next couple years in our program."

VUU will face Shaw University in the opening round of the CIAA Tournament at 8:50 p.m. On Tuesday, February 25, in Baltimore, Md.