In an effort to honor model student-athletes, the Missouri Valley Conference, in conjuction with State Farm, has created the MVC Good Neighbor Award. Ten student-athletes have been named by Commissioner Doug Elgin as the honorees for this winter.
The honorees include Jenny Van Kirk, Bradley; Kenton Walker, Creighton; Matt Jurysta, Drake; Shannon Novosel, Evansville; Kristi Cirone, Illinois State; Kelsey Luna, Indiana State; Roxy Stiles, Missouri State; Abby Girard, UNI; Kelly Dvorak, Southern Illinois; Marcy Sudbeck, Wichita State
Fall honorees included Brian Lock, Bradley; Jeff Thayer, Creighton; Theodore Scheisman, Drake; Kellee Widener, Evansville; MC Richmond, Illinois State; Kelli Whitaker, Indiana State; David Arkin, Missouri State; Ben Schmidt, Northern Iowa; Larry Warner, Southern Illinois; Katie Niggemeyer, 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!"
Bradley, Jenny Van Kirk, Women's Basketball, Junior
4.00 cumulative GPA
2008-09 Second Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District
2008-09 Three-time Bradley Scholar-Athlete of the Week
Bradley Athletic Director’s Honor Roll all five of her semesters on the Hilltop
Harry Potter Event ? Peoria Parks
WTVP Halloween event at Wildlife Center
Children’s Hospital OSF
Children’s Hospital OSF
Pleasant Valley Middle School shoot with autistic children
Buddy with the Braves Program
Visited war veterans
Peoria Boys and Girls Club
Volunteered at FCA Game and Banquet
Waconia Wildcat basketball camps
Southside Mission/Little Friends Learning Center
Visited patients and sang Christmas carols at Methodist hospital
Peoria Dream Center basketball leagues ? drills and encouragement
Trewyn Honors Breakfast ? Served pancakes and spoke about the importance of education
12-2pm at Peoria Civic Center 25th Anniversary Celebration
Creighton, Kenton Walker, Men's Basketball, Sophomore
Teammates
Jays Night Out
Just Read
Community outreach through clinics, strong role model for young men and women
Outstanding ambassador of Creighton Athletics
Drake, Matt Jurysta, Men's XC/Track & Field, Freshman
Drake Presidential Scholar
Dean's List Fall 2008
Five Thousand Acts of Green - Organizing campus effort to commit to five thousand acts of green by speaking to campus groups, administrators and students. Each group or department is asked to identify a unit goal, while each individual within the department will commit one individual act as well.
Evansville, Shannon Novosel, Women's Basketball, Senior
Maintained a 3.89 GPA
Dean's List seven consecutive semesters
MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award recipient in 2007-08
Honorable Mention MVC Scholar-Athlete Team Pick (sophomore)
Second team MVC Scholar-Athlete selection (junior)
2007 - team was ranked 20th nationally in team GPA in the WBCA Academic Top 20 with a 3.31 team GPA
ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V second team 2009
Purple Aces Club Steak Fry
UE Meet and Greet
United Way Day of Caring
Race for the Cure
US Susan G. Komen "Women's Hoops for the Cure"
Mt. Vernon's Activity Day at the Metro
Trick or treat with the Aces
Purple Aces Fast B.R.E.A.K. (Basketball Reinforcing Education to Area Kids)
Dream Center Night
Christmas Adopt-A-Family
Girl Scout Clinic
MVC Just Read Program
Toys for Tots
Teddy bear collection and drop off for Riley Hospital
Habitat for Humanity
Illinois State, Kristi Cirone, Women's Basketball, Senior
MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week
MVC Honor Roll
AFNI Honor Roll
MVC Just Read Program
Westminster Village
Home Sweet Home Mission
McLean County Nursing Home
Oakdale School Carnival
Recess at Grove and Stevenson Elementary School
Indiana State, Kelsey Luna, Women's Basketball, Junior
AD Honor Roll - 3 times
MVC Honor Roll - 3 times
ESPN Academic First Team All-American
Indiana State All Academic Team
Dean's List of College of Arts and Sciences for excellence in scholarship
Psychology Department Sophomore Acadmeic Excellence Award
Habitat for Humanity
Counselor at St. Josephs High School basketball camps
Teachers Asssistant - St. Monica Elementary school/parish
Counselor at Sanctuary Kamp (Bible school)
Captain - Saving Sally for Memory Walk - Fundraiser to help fight Alzheimers
Missouri State, Roxy Stiles, Women's Basketball, Junior
Missouri State Dean’s List - 5 times
MVC Honor Roll twice
Commissioners Academic Excellence Award
Ozark Literacy Council Book Fair
Ozark Elementary Reading on the Square - Promoted reading to youth
Classroom Reading
Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield - Fundraiser to give money back to the community
Lady Bears Shoe Fundraiser for Wilder Elementary - Fundraiser for the elementary school
Relay 4 Life
Disney Elementary - Lady Bear Day - Promoted Lady Bear Basketball by being a role model
Northern Iowa, Abby Girard, Women’s Swimming, Junior
MVC All-Conference 2007
Dean's List Spring Semester 2008
Academic All-Conference 2007-08
cumulative GPA is a 3.40
UNI SAAC
Character Counts
Just Read
Southern Illinois, Kelly Dvorak, Women's Swimming, Senior
MVC Scholar Athlete Team - 3 times
SIU Dean's List - 5 times
MVC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award
Saluki Scholar Recipient - 3 times
MVC Conference Honor Roll 3 - times
Parrish School Pumpkin Festival
Red Ribbon Week Speaker
MVC/State Farm “Just Read” participant
Women’s Christmas Party volunteer
Saluki Day at Jonesboro School
Saluki Kids Night Out
Trick or Treat for Can Goods
Parrish School Penguin Festival
City of Oakbrook Terrace Fourth of July Party
A Gift of Love Charity Spring Fundraiser
Wichita State, Marcy Sudbeck, Women's Basketball, Senior
3.959 GPA
Exercise Science Major
Shocks
Cops and Kids
Pen Pal Program
MVC "Just Read" Program
Susan G. Komen - "Race for the Cure"