March 27, 2008

www.siusalukis.com

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - In an effort to honor model student-athletes, the Missouri Valley Conference has partnered with State Farm Insurance in creating the MVC Good Neighbor Award. Ten student-athletes have been named by Commissioner Doug Elgin as the honorees for this past winter.

The honorees include Kelly Krumwiede of Bradley, Sam Schuett of Creighton, Lindsay Whorton of Drake, Rebekah Parker of Evansville, Kristi Cirone of Illinois State, Laura Rudolphi of Indiana State, Amy Crowder of Missouri State, Chris Lawson of Northern Iowa, Erica Smith of Southern Illinois, and Whitney Rice of 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.

Erica Smith, Southern Illinois, Jr., Women's Basketball
• Dean's List every semester
• 2007 MVC Scholar-Athlete 2nd Team
• 2008 MVC Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mention
• Saluki Scholar Recipient
• Prairie Farms/MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week
• Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Money Collection
• Carbondale Main Street Pig Out
• Parrish School Pumpkin Festival
• Trick or Treat canned goods
• Veterans Hospital Visit
• A Gift of Love Charity money collection
• Girl Scouts basketball camp
• Hoops for the Hungry
• Santa's Shoebox
• "Just Read" program participant
• National Women and Sports Day guest speaker
• Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Out