Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Josh Maier awarded the Bill and Rose Cornell Endowed Scholarship
04/10/2019 | 2:26:00 | Cross Country
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Josh Maier, a graduate student from Alsip, Illinois and member of the Saluki track & field team, received the Bill and Rose Cornell Endowed Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic school year. Maier won the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference cross country championship and was an MVC Scholar-Athlete in the 2017-18 academic year. His work ethic and desire to compete, have made him a staple on the Southern Illinois roster.
"Josh is a special athlete," said director of track and field and cross country Rosalind Joseph. "On the track, course and in the classroom, he is just an absolute standout student-athlete. He leads by example and has raised the bar for the rest of our team."
In the 2016-17 season, Maier won SIU's first MVC 5000m title since 2011 with a time of 14:45.62 and finished second in the 10000m with a personal-best time of 30:19.50 at the 2017 MVC Outdoor Championships (5/14). He earned the MVC Elite 18 award, which is given to the highest all-conference finisher with the best GPA, for the second-straight season. He also won the 5000m at the Bill Cornell Spring Classic (3/25).
"Josh is the type of athlete that, as a coach, you hope to be fortunate enough to work with," said cross country coach Kevin Cataldo. "He got to where he is today by having a tremendous work ethic and a belief in his ability to be exceptional at whatever endeavor he chooses. I can't say enough about what he has done for this program in his time as a Saluki."
Maier was presented the scholarship at the Bill Cornell Spring Classic. Bill Cornell, a 1965 SIU graduate from Chelmsford, England, was an accomplished competitor before he arrived in Carbondale, as he set a world record in the mile for his age group as a 17 year old. Bill came to Southern Illinois from England with his wife, Rose, in 1961 with a track scholarship. During his time at SIU, Cornell was a three-time All-American and a two-time NCAA runner-up. In 1980, he was inducted into SIU's Sports Hall of Fame. After graduating in 1965, Cornell earned his master's degree and began his coaching career in 1967 as the head track and cross country coach at Murray State University. In his 15 years at Murray State, Cornell guided the Racers to three Ohio Valley Conference cross country titles and won OVC Coach of the Year four times. In 1982, Cornell returned to his alma mater to take over as the head men's track and field and cross country coach. The SIU cross country team won its first of five MVC titles under Cornell that fall. In track and field, the Salukis won eight MVC titles both indoors and outdoors, and had a six-year stretch from 1987-92 in which Southern won at least one conference title each year. During his 33 years as a head coach, Cornell mentored a total of 11 Olympians, 49 All-Americans and four NCAA Champions.
"I was not a top recruit when I first got to SIU, so I had to work hard to improve," said Maier. "That work has paid off by earning the Bill and Rose Cornell Scholarship. I'm excited to see more improvement and to show that I can compete with the best in the MVC."
To see a full list of athletic endowments, click HERE.
"Josh is a special athlete," said director of track and field and cross country Rosalind Joseph. "On the track, course and in the classroom, he is just an absolute standout student-athlete. He leads by example and has raised the bar for the rest of our team."
In the 2016-17 season, Maier won SIU's first MVC 5000m title since 2011 with a time of 14:45.62 and finished second in the 10000m with a personal-best time of 30:19.50 at the 2017 MVC Outdoor Championships (5/14). He earned the MVC Elite 18 award, which is given to the highest all-conference finisher with the best GPA, for the second-straight season. He also won the 5000m at the Bill Cornell Spring Classic (3/25).
"Josh is the type of athlete that, as a coach, you hope to be fortunate enough to work with," said cross country coach Kevin Cataldo. "He got to where he is today by having a tremendous work ethic and a belief in his ability to be exceptional at whatever endeavor he chooses. I can't say enough about what he has done for this program in his time as a Saluki."
Maier was presented the scholarship at the Bill Cornell Spring Classic. Bill Cornell, a 1965 SIU graduate from Chelmsford, England, was an accomplished competitor before he arrived in Carbondale, as he set a world record in the mile for his age group as a 17 year old. Bill came to Southern Illinois from England with his wife, Rose, in 1961 with a track scholarship. During his time at SIU, Cornell was a three-time All-American and a two-time NCAA runner-up. In 1980, he was inducted into SIU's Sports Hall of Fame. After graduating in 1965, Cornell earned his master's degree and began his coaching career in 1967 as the head track and cross country coach at Murray State University. In his 15 years at Murray State, Cornell guided the Racers to three Ohio Valley Conference cross country titles and won OVC Coach of the Year four times. In 1982, Cornell returned to his alma mater to take over as the head men's track and field and cross country coach. The SIU cross country team won its first of five MVC titles under Cornell that fall. In track and field, the Salukis won eight MVC titles both indoors and outdoors, and had a six-year stretch from 1987-92 in which Southern won at least one conference title each year. During his 33 years as a head coach, Cornell mentored a total of 11 Olympians, 49 All-Americans and four NCAA Champions.
"I was not a top recruit when I first got to SIU, so I had to work hard to improve," said Maier. "That work has paid off by earning the Bill and Rose Cornell Scholarship. I'm excited to see more improvement and to show that I can compete with the best in the MVC."
To see a full list of athletic endowments, click HERE.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
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