In an effort to honor model student-athletes, the Missouri Valley Conference has created the MVC Good Neighbor Award.  Ten student-athletes have been named by Commissioner Doug Elgin as the honorees for this fall.

The honorees include 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

Page 2 of this release lists the 2007-08 honorees 

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.

Brian Lock, Bradley

• Men's Soccer, Jr., Accounting major
• MVC Honor Roll 2006, 2007
• BU Honor Roll every semester
• Peoria Christian Center soccer clinics
• Bible study leader at campus Newman Center
• Spent summer 2008 in India working with Mother Theresa's order taking care of the poor which consisted of feeding, bathing and tending to the needs of the poor.

Jeff Thayer, Creighton

• Men's Soccer, Jr.
• Was recognized as the male athlete logging the most community service hours in the department
• Volunteered over 150 hours
• Sienna Francis House homeless shelter
• Gives presentations in elementary schools
• Jays Days of Service
• Jamboree
• CU Medical Center

Theodore Scheisman, Drake

• Men's Soccer, Jr., 4.00 cumulative GPA
• Presidential Scholarship
• Youth soccer clinics
• Meals for Heartland
• Volunteer for Des Moines Marathon
• SAAC member

Kellee Widener, Evansville

• Women's Soccer, Jr., 3.81 cummulative GPA
• Earned Dean's list six consecutive semesters (3.5 or above)
• Named to the Student-Athlete Honor Roll six consecutive semesters
• MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award recipient 2007-08
• Member of SAAC (MVC Rep)
• Coordinates Just Read for institution
• Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
• Participates in pen pal program with local elementary school
• Helped lead free soccer clinics for Evansville youth
• Salvation Army Bell Ringer
• Toys for Tots
• Habitat for Humanity
• Read Across America
• United Way Day of Caring
• "Spa Get-together" Fundraiser for Joshua Academy Girls in Bloom
• Volunteered at McKinney Avenue's Counseling Center

MC Richmond, Illinois State

• Volleyball, Sr.
• Eight consecutive semesters with GPA above 3.0
• Dean's List 6 times
• MVC Scholar Athlete First Team
• Community service mission trips to Ecuador and Arizona
• Just Read 
• Christmas for Kids
• Heritage Manor - Bingo with Senior Citizens
• American Red Cross - Evening with the Stars

Kelli Whitaker, Indiana State

• Volleyball, Jr., 4.0 cummulative GPA
• AD honor roll every semester eligible
• MVC honor roll every semester eligible
• Old National Bank All-Academic Team (Highest GPA)
• Dean's list every semester
• Indiana State Colege of Education Office of the Dean High Honor Collegiate Scholar 2008
• MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award 2007
• 2-year member of SAAC
• Vice President Volunteer for Susan G. Komen for the Cure
• Volunteer for Terre Haute's Children's Museum
• Participated in Just Read program 2006 & 2007
• Volunteer for Shriner's during their picnic for hospitalized children

David Arkin, Missouri State

• Football, Sr.
• Valley Football Honor Roll
• Valley Football Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award
• MSU Academic Scholarship
• Midwest Student Exchange Progam Scholarship
• Assisted with Just Read program
• Assisted with American Heart Association at the Go Red Luncheon
• Assisted with Football Youth Clinic for Area Schools in Springfield

Ben Schmidt, Northern Iowa

• Football, Sr., GPA over 3.0 in Biology
• Dean's list two semesters
• Prairie Lakes Church Kidventure leader
• Prairie Lakes Church high school ministry small group leader
• Feed My Starving Children volunteer
• Bible Study Leader
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes captain
• Special Olympics volunteer
• Kickoff Kids Football Camp volunteer coach
• Tornado Relief volunteer in Parkersburg, Iowa spring 2008
• Flood Relief volunteer in Cedar Falls 2008

Larry Warner, Southern Illinois

• Football, Sr., Recreation major, 2.70 GPA
• Boys and Girls Club Lock-In volunteer
• Wheel Chair Basketball volunteer
• 5-on-5 Basketball Tournament volunteer
• Youth football camp volunteer
• Bowling with special needs population
• Raised money for Red Cross
• Volunteers at St. Francis Animal Shelter
• Participated in Just Read 
• Collected monetary donations for Carbondale homeless shelter
• Volunteered at local horse show
• Volunteered for Head Start's Santa's Shoebox activity
• Voluntered at vacation bible school at local Baptist church
• Named to the Allstate Insurance Company and American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team

Katie Niggemeyer, Wichita State

• Volleyball, Jr., 3.239 GPA
• Athletic Director's Honor Roll - 4 semesters
• Dean's Honor Roll - 1 semester
• Little Spikers - 4 years
• Junior Spikers - 4 years
• Pen Pal Program - 4 years
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes - 4 years
• Just Read - 2 years
• "Rock with the Shock" Character Education Workshop - 1 year
• SAAC - 2 years