By ISU Sports Information
NORMAL – Ashley Rosch was the big winner, taking home three awards, while the Illinois State men’s track and field and cross country teams were also well represented, as Ryan Rutherford and J.D. LaFayette also took home hardware at The Reggies Sunday night as Illinois State celebrated the success of its student-athletes during the 2015-16 academic year at the annual academic excellence awards ceremony, sponsored by State Farm.
Rosch, a Redbird volleyball standout, was named the Jill Hutchison Female Athlete of the Year and the Linda Herman Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while also winning the Impact Award, recognizing a student-athlete embodying a commitment to excellence.
Rosch graduated in August magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in environmental health. She was previously named the Missouri Valley Conference’s Dr. Charlotte West Award winner for her athletic and academic achievements, while additionally being the Valley’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year.
Rutherford, meanwhile, was named the Milt Weisbecker Male Athlete of the Year, while LaFayette was recognized as the Doug Collins Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Rosch finished her record-setting career in 2015 as Illinois State’s first four-time All-MVC First-Team selection in the sport. A two time all-region selection and three-time Valley Scholar-Athlete selection, Rosch finished her career with the school record for attack attempts, while also ranking third in kills, fourth in points and seventh in digs.
Rutherford closed out a standout career in 2015-16, winning an MVC indoor title in the 5,000-meter run, before winning the 10,000-meter run at the conference’s outdoor meet. Rutherford qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, taking 22nd in the 10,000-meter run. He concluded his career with four Illinois State track and field and cross country records, and is a 10-time all-conference selection.
LaFayette, currently a junior academically at Illinois State, won the 800-meter run and was named the Valley’s Elite 18 Award winner, recognizing the student-athlete with the top grade-point average (GPA) competing at a league championship, at the conference’s indoor meet last spring. He was later an NCAA Regional qualifier during the outdoor season. In the classroom, LaFayette has maintained a perfect 4.00 GPA as a computer science major, and was an Academic All-America selection in 2016.
Other event winners Sunday night included MiKyle McIntosh, of the men’s basketball team, who earned the Dr. Jim Johnson Phoenix Award, recognizing a student-athlete who has overcome academic challenges and made consistent academic progress. Winning the Good Neighbor Award, presented to a student-athlete exemplifying commitment to excellence in academics, service and personal conduct, was Sarah Stankoskey, of the soccer team.
Sunday’s awards were presented by members of the administrative staffs at both Illinois State and State Farm, and included Illinois State President Larry Dietz and Director of Athletics Larry Lyons.
Illinois State student-athletes posted a combined GPA of 3.15 during the Fall 2015 semester, as 294 student-athletes were named to the AFNI Honor Roll. Redbirds student-athletes then turned in a record-breaking 3.23 GPA during the Spring 2016 semester, as 295 Redbirds were named to the AFNI Honor Roll.
In addition to their success in the classroom, Illinois State student-athletes provided over 2,500 hours of community service during the 2015-16 academic year.
