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 winter semester.
Winter honorees include Renee Frericks, Bradley, Women's Basketball, Sr.; Megan Neuvirth, Creighton, Women's Basketball, Sr.; Diedra Dirth, Drake, Indoor Track & Field, Sr.; Amy Gallagher, Evansville, Women's Basketball, Sr.; Amy Werkema, Illinois State, Swimming/Diving, Sr.; Kelsie Cooley, Indiana State, Women's Basketball, Jr.; Will Creekmore, Missouri State, Men's Basketball, Jr.; Jacqui Kalin, UNI, Women's Basketball, So.; Malaikah Love, Southern Illinois, Indoor Track & Field, So.; Marisah Henderson, Wichita State, Women's Basketball, Sr.
Fall honorees include Katie Nowak, Bradley; Claire Zach, Creighton; Mason Bucklin, Drake; Blake Schneider, Evansville; Ruth Zemke, Illinois State; Scott Keeney, Indiana State; Terry Phillips, Missouri State; Chelsie Hochstedler, UNI; Tony Colletti, Southern Illinois; Kim Wadsworth, Wichita State.
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!"
Renee Frericks, Bradley, Women's Basketball, Sr.
3.92 GPA
Bradley Country Financial Scholar-Athlete of the Week (twice)
Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Every Semester)
MVC Comissioner's Academic Excellence Award 2009
MVC Honor Roll
Just Read! Volunteer
Volunteers to read at local schools
Vvisits with patients at Methodist Medical Center & OSF Children's Hospital
High School Math Tutor volunteer
Member of Student Athlete Advisary comitee 2007-Present
Megan Neuvirth, Creighton, Women's Basketball, Sr.
3.36 GPA
2008-09 MVC Scholar Athlete - Second Team
Three-time MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week
Has been named to Dean's List seven times
2010 CoSiDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Region VII Second Team
Special Olympics - Nebraska Volunteer
Habitat for Humanity Women's Build: June 2009
Just Read!
Youth Basketball Clinics and Camps
Teammates Mentor (2007- Present)
Homeless Collection
Night out with the Jays
Holiday Collection for Siena Francis House
Operation Others: package and deliver food to underprivileged families around Christmas time: December 2007,2008
Adopt a Family
Diedra Dirth, Drake, Indoor Track & Field, Sr.
Drake Presidential Scholar
Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology
Graduate of Drake University Don V. Adams Leadership Academy
2009 MVC Track and Field Scholar-Athlete List
Dean’s List
President’s List
Top Junior Leadership Award
Student-Athlete Advisory Council
Organized 2009 Athletic Charity Ball / Toys for Tots Fundraiser
Sports Business Association, Vice President
Emerging Leaders Model Mentor
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, student leader
Student-Athlete Mentor
Drake Track and Field Captain (2007-present)
Des Moines Sports Commission Board Member
National Society for Human Resource Management
Professional Research in Psychology (2008-Present)
Amy Gallagher, Evansville, Women's Basketball, Sr.
3.47 Cumulative GPA in Exercise and Sport Science, Physical Therapy Assistant Major
Earned Dean's List Twice
UE Student-Athete Academic Honor Roll Twice
Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure Volunteer
UE United Way of Caring Volunteer
Kiwanis Back to School Program Volunteer
Riley Children's Hospital Festival Volunteer
Mentor at Lodge Elementary School
Women's Basketball Team Spokesperson for the Hoops for the Cure game for brest cancer awareness
Family Day in the Park Volunteer
Adopt-A-Family Volunteer
Dr. Seuss Read Across America Volunteer
YMCA Half Marathon Volunteer
Step Out for Diabetes Walk Volunteer
Amy Werkema, Illinois State, Swimming/Diving, Sr.
AFNI Athletics Honor Roll every semester
MVC Honor Roll
All-Missouri Valley Conference Honorable Mention and Scholar Athlete Teams
Student Athlete Advisory Council
Just Read! Program
Recess Buddies
Christmas for Kids
Relay for Life
American Red Cross Evening with the Stars
Reggie Fun Zones
Birds in the Burbs
Kelsie Cooley, Indiana State, Women's Basketball, Jr.
Maintained a 4.0 Cumulative GPA in Marketing
Athletic Directors Honor Roll - Fall & Spring 2007-08
MVC Honor Roll - Fall & Spring 2007-08
Athletic Directors Honor Roll - Fall & Spring 2009-09
MVC Honor Roll - Fall & Spring 2008-09
Indiana State University Dean's List 2007-08, 2008-09
MVC Comissioner's Excellence Award
Wabash Valley Race for the Cure/ Susan G. Koman Volunteer
Memory Walk for Alzheimer's Disease volunteer and walk participant
Wabash Valley Heart Walk Volunteer
Sycamore Manor Volunteer/ SAAC Food Drive Coordinator
Will Creekmore, Missouri State, Men's Basketball, Jr.
4.0 Fall 2009 semester GPA
Recognized member of Dean’s List
Member of Athletics Director Honor Roll
All MVC Scholar Athlete First Team
Twice selected Prairie Farms MVC Scholar Athlete of the week
Reading to youth at local elementary schools
Participant in the “Miles for Myles” fundraiser
Jacqui Kalin, UNI, Women's Basketball, So.
4.0 cumulative GPA sports psychology undergraduate degree
Dean's list Fall 2009, Spring 2009, Fall 2008, Spring 2008, Fall 2007
MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week Dec 7-13, 2009
National Society of Collegiate Scholars, member
Just Read! Volunteer 2010
2009 Eastern Iowa VolunteerVariety (The Children's Charity) Telethon Volunteer, February 2009
House of Hope Volunteer, 2009
Habitat for Humanity Volunteer, 2009
"Character Counts" Panel Speaker, 2008
Point Guard College Volunteer Coach, Summer 2008, 3 sessions
Summer Flood Relief Volunteer, 2008
Special Olympics Volunteer, 2008
Safe Date Tailgate Volunteer, Fall 2007
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Vice President, 2009-10
SAAC member, 2007-present
Malaikah Love, Southern Illinois, Indoor Track & Field, So.
Saluki Scholar - 2009
Dean's List - Fall 2008
MVC Conference Honor Roll - Spring 2009
W&D Meeks Athletic Scholarship Endowment - 2009-2010
SIU Athletics Haloween Bash, 2008
Keep Carbondale Beautiful, 2009
SIU Varsity Club Gathering, 2009
MVC/State Farm Just Read!, 2009
Book in Every Home, 2009
SIU Athletics Santa's Shoebox,2008
SIU Athletics Thank-A-Thon, 2009
Family/School Summit, 2009
SIU Athletics Haloween Bash, 2009
Marisah Henderson, Wichita State, Women's Basketball, Sr.
Junior College Transfer; 2.642 GPA
Dean's Honor Roll - 1 semester
Athletic Director's Honor Roll - 2 Semesters
Shocks
Cops & Kids
Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure
Victory in the Valley Run
Wichita Children's Home
Woof Stock
New Song Academy
Lord's Diner
Wesley Medical Center Pediatrics
Missouri Valley Conference "Just Read!" Program
Lynette Woodard Children's Home