Jason Holsinger and Shannon Novosel were among the many UE student-athletes in 2008-09 who earned national awards for academic achievement.
A Banner Year For Academic Honors
7/2/2009 2:56:15 PM
The 2008-09 academic year at the University of Evansville was an outstanding one for Purple Aces' student-athletes. For the first time since 1991, UE produced three Academic All-Americans, and nine of the University's 14 teams earned academic honors from their national organizations.
In addition, UE student-athletes put in 2,695 hours of community service, topping the goal of 2,000.
Many sports offered free camps and clinics. The department volunteered more than 237 hours at the Komen Race for the Cure. Special Olympics was also a big part of the Aces' events this year with 240 total hours. Aces' athletes helped at the Special Olympic swim meets, bowling tournament and softball programs. The UE Student-Athlete Advisory Committee specifically organized the Just Read program, Toys-for-Tots, and ringing bells for the Salvation Army. Athletes also participated in Habitat for Humanity, at The Protestant Home, Adopt-A-Family, Relay for Life, and Pen-Pals with middle school students.
"Our student-athletes have found ways to become even more active in our community, and that is something I am very proud of," said Director of Athletics John Stanley. "Combined with their academic and athletic achievements, you can see they have put in a lot of time in order to become successful in many ways."
Here's a look at the top academic honors for 2008-09:
TEAM ACADEMIC AWARDS
Women's Basketball: Academic Progress Rate honor from NCAA
Men's Cross Country: Academic Progress Rate honor from NCAA, USTFCCCA Academic All-America Team
Women's Cross Country: USTFCCCA Academic All-America Team
Men's Soccer: NSCAA Team Academic Award
Women's Soccer: NSCAA Team Academic Award
Softball: NFCA 'Girls Got Game' Top Ten All-Academic Team
Tennis: ITA All-Academic Team
Volleyball" AVCA Academic All-America Team
Women's Swimming & Diving: CSCAA Scholar All-American Team
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS:
Kayla Lambert, 3rd team women's soccer
Jason Holsinger, 1st team men's basketball
Brian Joyce, 2nd team men's cross country/track
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA FINALISTS (1st team all-District V)
Jason Holsinger, men's basketball
Shannon Novosel, women's basketball
Brian Joyce, men's cross country
Kayla Lambert, women's soccer
Julie Winkler, women's soccer
Mike Luttrull, men's soccer
Kate Chybowski, women's tennis (at-large team selection)
OTHER NATIONAL AWARDS:
Jason Holsinger, NCAA Division I-AAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Shannon Novosel, honorable mention on NCAA Division I-AAA Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Team
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE AWARDS
Co-MVC Men's Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year: Jason Holsinger
Presidents Council Academic Awards: Jason Holsinger, men's basketball; Matt Hunsaker, men's golf; Ryan Linsner, men's golf; Shannon Novosel, women's basketball; Megan Bowlds, women's cross country; Kellee Widener, women's soccer; Stephanie Millis, women's tennis
FIRST TEAM MVC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES:
Baseball: John Foley
Men's Basketball: Jason Holsinger
Women's Basketball: Ashley Austin, Shannon Novosel
Men's Golf: Matt Hunsaker
Men's Soccer: Mike Luttrull
Women's Soccer: Kayla Lambert, Nicole Moyen, Julie Winkler
Women's Swimming & Diving: Anna Luecke, Christina Schmidgall, Ady Sekely, Annie Shackelford, Kaitlyn Sluka, Diane Threlkeld
Tennis: Kate Chybowski, Stephanie Millis, Ashton Schwerin
UE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS:
Jason Holsinger, basketball, Ralph H. Coleman Award
Shannon Novosel, basketball, Lois D. Patton Award