Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Eli Baker Named Scholar-Athlete Of The Week
09/18/2003 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country
Sept. 18, 2003
By Josh Magill
www.SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Southern Illinois University men's cross country athlete Eli Baker was selected as the Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Week for the period of Sept. 8-14, MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today.
The Valley's Scholar-Athlete program, which is sponsored by Prairie Farms, Roberts and Hiland Dairies, honors conference student-athletes for their athletic performance for a one-week period and academic success in the classroom. The program began during the 1999-00 academic year.
Baker, a junior from local Marion, Ill., led the Saluki men's cross country squad to the team title of the Bradley Open on Sept. 13. The win was the first for SIU since winning the Saluki Fast Start Open last season. Baker, who carries a cumulative 3.43 grade-point average in education, posted a career-best time of 24:49.80 to finish second in the eight-kilometer run.
"Eli has been running really well ever since last April when he kind of came into his own," said men's cross country head coach Matt McClelland. "He's just excited right now, and he's having fun. When you hold that attitude you're tough to stop."
"This (honor) is good for Eli," continued McClelland. "He will be real happy about getting this award." This is Baker's first Scholar-Athlete of the Week honor. He was named as an MVC Scholar-Athlete for cross country and track and field after his sophomore season.
To qualify for Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.
Players Mentioned
