In an effort to honor model student-athletes, the Missouri Valley Conference, in partnership with State Farm, has created the MVC State Farm Good Neighbor Award.  Ten student-athletes have been named by Commissioner Doug Elgin as the honorees following the fall  semester.

Fall honorees include Bobby Smith, Bradley, Men's Soccer, Jr.; Kyle Deremer, Creighton, Men's Soccer, Sr.; Colin Hagan, Drake, Men's Cross Country, Jr.; Ellen Sawin, Evansville, Volleyball, Jr.; Bethany Brown, Illinois State, Women's Soccer, Sr.; Emily Lahay, Indiana State, Women's Soccer, Jr.; Heath Melugin, Missouri State, Men's Soccer, Jr.; Jill Lageschulte, UNI, Women's Cross Country, Jr.; Joe Allaria, Southern Illinois, Football, Sr.; Mary Elizabeth Hooper, Wichita State, Volleyball, Jr.

In order to be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be in good academic standing, must demonstrate good citizenship through good sportsmanship and significant community service, and must participate in a sport, during the season of recognition.   The Valley will recognize 10 student-athletes three times annually (fall, winter, spring), for a total of 30 honorees.  Institutions select their Good Neighbor Award honorees.

State Farm Insurance is a long-time sponsor of the Missouri Valley Conference and sponsors all 18 MVC championship events.   Also, State Farm is a prominent sponsor of the league's television network and a sponsor of the Missouri Valley Conference's community outreach program, "Just Read!"

Bobby Smith, Bradley, Men's Soccer, Jr.

• MVC Scholar-Athlete Team-2008 Honorable Mention
• Prairie Farm/MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week
• Bradley AD Honor Roll (Fall 2008 and Spring 2009)
• Bradley/Country Financial Scholar Athlete of the Week
• MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award (2010)
• MVC Honor Roll (2009 & 2010)
• Beta Gamma Sigma (Business)
• Dean's List (2008-2010)
• Braves Council representative (SAAC)
• MVC SAAC
• Guest reader at St. Phil's Elementary School
• Just Read
• Maintenance at local cemetery for Catholic Cemeteries Association
• Christian Center Soccer Clinic
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Run/Walk 5k
• Soccer World Holiday Camp 2008 & 2009

Kyle Deremer, Creighton, Men's Soccer, Sr.

• Dean's List (Fall 2008 to Present)
• Operation Others: package and deliver food to underprivileged families around Christmas time: December 2008, 2009
• Volunteer soccer coach at clinics for underprivileged kids in the community.
• Just Read
• Jays Night Out
• Haiti Relief Collection
• Volunteer at local elementary schools to mentor and help teachers in their classrooms.
• Holiday Collection for Siena Francis House
• Cox Classic
• Joslyn Art Museum Volunteer
• Camp Coholo Volunteer- this camp is for children that have cancer and blood disorders.
• In 2009 completed 75 hours of community service and in 2010 has already hit 125 hours of service.

Colin Hagan, Drake, Men's Cross Country, Jr.

• Drake Presidential Scholar
• 3.43 GPA with Economics major and Business Law concentration
• Dean's List
• President for the Drake Sports Business Association-provided community involvement and outreach at state wrestling tournaments, state track and field meets and Des Moines Area Sports Commission
• Meals from the Heartland
• Capitol Striders
• Kiwanis Miracle League Saturday Baseball
• YMCA working with the children of US Soldiers
• Drake Knights of Columbus

Ellen Sawin, Evansville, Volleyball, Jr.

• Dean's List (twice)
• Honors Program member
• Student-athlete of the week
• MVC SAAC Rep
• SAAC Board member
• Two time Relay for Life team captain
• Salvation Army bell ringer
• United Way volunteer
• Read Across America participant
• Ace of Hearts Kids Night Out
• Volunteer at Human Society
• Circle K Special Education Prom
• Adopt a Family program
• Organized fundraisers for 2 currently disabled student-athletes
• Just Read
• Special Olympics track volunteer
• Toys for Tots-shopped, fundraised and delivered toys
• Visited area nursing homes

Bethany Brown, Illinois State, Women's Soccer, Sr.

• MVC Honor Roll (every semester)
• MVC Commissioner's award
• AFNI Honor Roll
• Dean's List (Junior and Senior year)
• SAAC 
• Students on Patrol (STOP)
• Boys and Girls club
• Recess Buddies
• Reggie's Kid Club volunteer
• Special Olympics referee and scorekeeper
• Local Summer Camp coaching volunteer
• Live United
• FCA

Emily Lahay, Indiana State, Women's Soccer, Jr.

• AD Honor Roll (2008-2010)
• MVC Honor Roll (2008-2010)
• Shiners Club for Hospital send off
• Collected money for military veterans
• Assist with ILS dance marathon
• Volunteered at West Vigo Community Center
• Helped with Ballin' for a Cure in Sullivan, IN
• Worked Sullivan community food bank
• Worked booth creating army holiday cards
• Volunteered at Light House Mission with children after school
• Volunteered in Read-Across-America
• Helped paint and clean local half-way house
• Participated in Autism Awareness Walk at ILS fb stadium
• Helped local flood victims
• Tutored in several Vigo County elementary schools
• Worked St. Joan of Arc fish fry

Heath Melugin, Missouri State, Men's Soccer, Jr.

• 3.96 overall GPA in Cell & Molecular Biology
• AD Honor Roll
• All MVC Scholar-Athlete 2009-2010
• SAAC
• Participated in Adopt-a-Street program
• Just Read
• Assists with coaching youth soccer

Jill Lageschulte, UNI, Women's Cross Country, Jr.

• Cumulative GPA of 3.64 in Movement and Exercise Science: Exercise Emphasis; Coaching Minor
• Dean's List (Fall 2008; Spring 2009; Spring 2010)
• Student-athlete representative on NCAA Certification-Gender Equity Committee
• Just Read
• Boys and Girls Club participant
• Junior Panther Day volunteer
• SAAC representative

Joe Allaria, Southern Illinois, Football, Sr.

• 2009 MVFC All-Academic First Team
• MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award (2008 and 2009)
• 3 year member of the MVFC Academic Honor Roll
• Academic Dean's List (6 semesters)
• Saluki Scholar (2008-09; 2009-10)
• 2008 MVFC All-Academic Honorable Mention
• SIU Athletics Halloween Bash (2008; 2009)
• SIU Athletics Santa Shoebox (2008; 2009)
• Just Read
• Saluki Kid's Night Out (2008; 2009)
• Athletics Talent Show to benefit Haiti
• Upward Basketball
• Jefferson Elementary Celebrity Reading Day
• SIU Wheelchair Basketball Volunteer 
• Souper Bowl of Caring Donation Drive
• Parrish School Pumpkin Fest
• SIU Athletics Thank-a-Thon
• Saluki Day at Jonesboro Elementary

Mary Elizabeth Hooper, Wichita State, Volleyball, Jr.

• 3.713 GPA in Health Sciences major-Pre-Physician Assistant Program 
• Dean's List-4 semesters
• AD Honor Roll-5 semesters
• Little Spikers
• Junior Spikers
• SAAC
• SAAC Secretary/Treasurer
• Conversation Partner with ESL
• Volunteer at Kansas Foodbank Warehouse
• Volunteer at Adams Elementary School Walk-a-Thon
• Numana Haiti Food Packaging
• Volunteer SIDS Run
• Shadow Doctors to prepare for PA School
• Goddard Intermediate Learning Center/Wichita State Pen Pal Program
• Just Read