Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Stuart named MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week
03/18/2009 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
March 18, 2009
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Southern Illinois University senior jumper Bianca Stuart was named the Prairie Farms Missouri Valley Conference female Scholar-Athlete of the Week Wednesday.
Stuart and Bradley University's Tommy Fitzgerald were honored for their performances during the period of March 9-15. Now in its ninth year of existence, The Valley's Scholar-Athlete program is sponsored by Prairie Farms, Roberts and Hiland Dairies. On a weekly basis, the Conference honors its student-athletes for their athletic performance for a one-week period and academic success in the classroom.
"Prairie Farms and its family of dairies have been the only sponsors of this worthwhile endeavor by the Missouri Valley Conference," said Commissioner Doug Elgin, who is in his 21st year with The Valley. "We are grateful for Prairie Farms continued recognition of our student-athletes for their athletic performance and their academic success."
A member of the Southern Illinois women's track and field team, Stuart, a senior from Nassau, Bahamas, earned her second All-America honor at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in College Station, Texas, on Friday, March 13.
Stuart, who has a 3.58 cumulative grade-point average in dental hygiene, finished with a final leap of 21 feet, two inches (6.45 meters), which was good for fourth place in the long jump.
A shortstop for the Bradley baseball team, Fitzgerald, a senior from Lenexa, Kan., batted .667 (6-for-9) with three doubles and four runs batted in, as the Braves fell to Bowling Green (11-10 on March 14) and defeated Central Michigan (5-1 on March 15) to begin their spring break trip in Florida.
Fitzgerald, who has a 3.02 cumulative grade-point average in political science, went 3-for-5 with an RBI against Bowling Green. Versus Central Michigan, he went 3-for-4 with three doubles -- tying a Bradley single-game record -- and a career-best three RBI.
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.
