Editor’s Note: This is the tenth in a 10-part series recapping the Top Ten sports moments of the 2009-2010 year at Northwest Christian University as compiled by the Beacon Athletic Department. See the bottom of the page for links to all of the top-ten moments.
EUGENE, Ore. - Northwest Christian University is just that: a University. In the world of college athletics, that fact can often get lost in the shuffle of wins and losses, conference standings, and statistical achievement. But a focus on academics and making sure that “student” stays at the forefront of “student-athlete”, has led to an impressive list of honors and awards earned by the Beacons in the classroom during the 2009-2010 season.
Even outside of the honors and awards, NCU had a remarkably strong year in the classroom. The Beacons closed out the year by having eleven out of twelve teams earn a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or higher. The women’s golf team led the way with a team GPA of 3.53, followed by the women’s basketball team at 3.51. Volleyball, Men’s Cross Country, and Men’s Track were each above a 3.25 as well. However, we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. To get the full picture of just what an impressive year it has been academically, we have to go all the way back to the beginning.
It all started on November 2, 2009 with a statement. The NCU fall sports garnered a total of 18 Cascade Collegiate Conference Academic All-Conference selections, recognized for having a GPA of 3.2 and maintaining sophomore status or higher.
Out of those 18, four went on to earn National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Scholar-Athlete honors. Men’s soccer players
Alan Baker and
Stephen Melgar, along with cross country runners
Bethany Howard and
Sam Robison, were recognized for sitting with junior status or higher, and a 3.5 GPA.
After the fall sports wrapped up, the winter season was upon us. When the winter recipients were announced, the NCU men’s and women’s basketball teams collected eleven Academic All-Conference selections from the CCC. Three men were selected, along with eight for the women, representing the highest number for any team in the conference. In fact, the Beacons had eight of their eleven eligible players (sophomore or higher) with a 3.2, for an impressive 73% clip.
Five basketball players went on to also earn the NAIA Scholar-Athlete honor, including two-time winner
Erik Quick-Warner. He was joined by junior
Brent McKee from the men’s basketball team, along with juniors
Lori Renner,
Katey Monteith, and
Amanda Zempel.
The winter season soon led into a very rainy spring season in Eugene. Perhaps the wet weather meant more time in the library for the student-athletes, because 23 spring performers had GPA’s over 3.2 to earn Academic All-CCC honors. The Beacons ranked fourth in the conference in total numbers, but with only 28 student-athletes eligible during the spring, 82% earned recognition. This was nearly double the total of the next highest foe in the conference, Corban University, with 44%.
Michael Fuller, Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment, said, “When students receive awards and recognition like this it is confirmation that our program is headed in the right direction. We’ve continued to strive to place the emphasis on ‘STUDENT’ in the phrase ‘Student-Athlete’. We are very proud of the academic achievements of our student-athletes and will continue to push to make this a priority in our athletic program.”
The largest group of Academic All-Conference selections gave way to the largest group of NAIA Scholar Athletes as nine student-athletes were selected. Leading the way was women’s golfer
Ashley King, who earned her third award after grabbing the nod for both basketball and golf during her junior season.
Men’s golfer McKee and softball player
Brittany Robles both took their second NAIA awards, as did track runners Howard and Robison. First-time winners included women’s golfer
Jordie Holland, track runner
Rob Rich, and softball players
Lissa Hatefi and
Brooke Davis.
The school year concluded in May and when all was said and done 43 Academic All-Conference awards were handed out and 15 athletes earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition. For Northwest Christian and one graduating senior in particular the biggest honor of them all was still to come. On June 14th, Erik Quick-Warner was named the Cascade Collegiate Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year, as voted on by the ten Athletic Directors in the CCC.
Quick-Warner, who amassed a 3.9 GPA in four years as an accounting major, graduated Summa Cum Laude from NCU in May. The point-guard played four years with the men’s basketball team, and was a starter for his final three seasons. He was a two-time Academic All-CCC and NAIA Scholar-Athlete and was named the NCU Scholar-Athlete of the Year a record three times.
“Erik has been the ultimate student-athlete for Northwest Christian University over his four years here,” said Corey Anderson, NCU’s head basketball coach and athletic director. “While Erik has never been voted All-CCC during his career, I feel that many opposing coaches would agree in saying that without Erik’s play and intelligent decision making, we would not have been as competitive or as successful as we were during his time as a Beacon.”
Quick-Warner’s story might have garnered more attention and given him a much deserved award but there are countless similar stories within the ranks of the Northwest Christian University student-athlete population. Throughout the 2010-2011 season, we will be bringing those stories to you as the athletic department continues to emphasize the importance of keeping the Northwest Christian University Beacons at the top of the class, in the Cascade Conference and in the nation.