December 28, 2011

Continuing a 'Partnership in Excellence'

FOREST, Va. --- The ODAC and Farm Bureau Insurance have built a strong relationship over the past few years, emphasizing the importance of the complete student-athlete experience at the NCAA Division III level.  That "Partnership in Excellence" continued this fall as the ODAC and Farm Bureau Insurance salute the seven winners of the 2011 ODAC/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Awards from the fall athletic campaigns.

The ODAC/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar Athlete Award is given to a student-athlete in each of the conference's 22 sponsored sports.  Farm Bureau Insurance of Virginia is the presenter of each of the ODAC/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Awards, forming a partnership with the ODAC to emphasize the NCAA Division III philosophy of the complete student-athlete experience.  To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore standing and have spent at least one full academic year at the nominating institution, must maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average, and must have participated in at least 50-percent of the team's events as a starter or key contributor.  The awards are selected in a vote of the conference's sports information directors.

Listed and linked below are each of the winners from the ODAC's seven fall sports.  To learn more about each athlete, click the associated link.

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY: Tim Smith, Roanoke College

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY: Lauren Schultz, Washington and Lee

FIELD HOCKEY: Shelly Milks, Lynchburg College

FOOTBALL: Brett Murray, Washington and Lee University

MEN'S SOCCER: Jamie Paldino, Washington and Lee University

WOMEN'S SOCCER: Jessica Edelman, Virginia Wesleyan College

VOLLEYBALL: Jessica Sears, Randolph-Macon College