2008 Woodie Awards
Students excelling on and off the field
Tony Patrico
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Sports
For students at SIUE, the stress of work, school and making time for other activities can be very stressful. For students who also participate in sports, the pressure is doubled-up.
Each month the Student Athletic Advising Committee selects two athletes for student-athlete of the month. This student must excel in both the athletic and academic fields.
For these students it's all about balancing the schoolwork, with the hard work. Practicing the mind and the body in the classroom, as well as on the field.
"Each month, athletes nominate players from their team in whatever sport is in session," sophomore, Elizabeth Valenti, member of the SAAC said. "Then, out of those athletes, two students are picked for student-athlete of the month."
The previous athletes of the month, for the month of September, were senior cross-country runner Erik Steffens, and junior volleyball player, Mallory Clements.
Steffens, who placed first overall in the college division at the Bradley open, also was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Runner of the Week earlier in September.
Clements, who has also earned GLVC player of the week honors, has 12 career triple-doubles, which in itself is a school record, one which included a 11 kill, 40 assist and 15 dig triple-double, tying a school record. In the classroom, Clements holds a 4.0 and is a Deans Scholar.
"The biggest honor about receiving student athlete of the month is knowing that any honor I receive is an honor for the entire volleyball team," Clements said. "Being able to represent all of them and the work they put in (is an honor)."
For the month of October the SAAC recognizes, junior cross-country runner Kyle Cameron, and Women's soccer player Elizabeth Valenti both received recognition as the students of the month.
Cameron, also finished 3rd overall in the Eastern Illinois University open, which included many Division-I competitors. His time of 25:17 ranks 10th on the All-Time SIUE 8k list. While also gaining honors of GLVC Runner of the Week, Cameron currently holds a 3.746 GPA. Cameron said that this honor is something that stands out in his accomplishments.
"These aren't coaches or administrators who do the voting or nominations," Cameron said. "It is a huge honor to be named one of the better student athletes we have."
Valenti, who holds a 3.28 GPA, has scored seven goals in the last four Cougar games. She has also gained GLVC athletes of the week honors. In a game earlier this year, Valenti, who is a co-captain of the team, scored three goals while playing on a sprained ankle.
"It's a really big honor being recognized by your peers," Valenti said. "It's probably the biggest honor that one can receive."
Each month the Student Athletic Advising Committee selects two athletes for student-athlete of the month. This student must excel in both the athletic and academic fields.
For these students it's all about balancing the schoolwork, with the hard work. Practicing the mind and the body in the classroom, as well as on the field.
"Each month, athletes nominate players from their team in whatever sport is in session," sophomore, Elizabeth Valenti, member of the SAAC said. "Then, out of those athletes, two students are picked for student-athlete of the month."
The previous athletes of the month, for the month of September, were senior cross-country runner Erik Steffens, and junior volleyball player, Mallory Clements.
Steffens, who placed first overall in the college division at the Bradley open, also was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Runner of the Week earlier in September.
Clements, who has also earned GLVC player of the week honors, has 12 career triple-doubles, which in itself is a school record, one which included a 11 kill, 40 assist and 15 dig triple-double, tying a school record. In the classroom, Clements holds a 4.0 and is a Deans Scholar.
"The biggest honor about receiving student athlete of the month is knowing that any honor I receive is an honor for the entire volleyball team," Clements said. "Being able to represent all of them and the work they put in (is an honor)."
For the month of October the SAAC recognizes, junior cross-country runner Kyle Cameron, and Women's soccer player Elizabeth Valenti both received recognition as the students of the month.
Cameron, also finished 3rd overall in the Eastern Illinois University open, which included many Division-I competitors. His time of 25:17 ranks 10th on the All-Time SIUE 8k list. While also gaining honors of GLVC Runner of the Week, Cameron currently holds a 3.746 GPA. Cameron said that this honor is something that stands out in his accomplishments.
"These aren't coaches or administrators who do the voting or nominations," Cameron said. "It is a huge honor to be named one of the better student athletes we have."
Valenti, who holds a 3.28 GPA, has scored seven goals in the last four Cougar games. She has also gained GLVC athletes of the week honors. In a game earlier this year, Valenti, who is a co-captain of the team, scored three goals while playing on a sprained ankle.
"It's a really big honor being recognized by your peers," Valenti said. "It's probably the biggest honor that one can receive."
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