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IU Athletics Honors Student-Athletes at Spirit of Indiana Showcase
May 2, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics honored its student-athletes at the inaugural Spirit of Indiana Showcase on Monday, April 25 at the Indiana University Auditorium. The Showcase honored student-athletes with year-end awards from 2010 and 2011, while introducing The Spirit of Indiana Directors Award, presented by Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass. This award is the most prestigious award presented by the department given to two senior student-athletes, which best represent The Spirit of Indiana: 24 Sports, One Team. The inaugural award was given to senior quarterback Ben Chappell and senior utility player Sara Olson. Chappell completed 302-of-483 passes (62.5 percent) for 3,295 yards with 24 touchdowns, three rushing TDs, nine interceptions, 274.6 yards per game and a 132.5 passing efficiency this season. He set the school's single-season completions, passing yardage and attempts records, and finished second in passing touchdowns, total offense (3,309) and completion percentage. "What a great honor," said Chappell. "This truly caught me off guard. I want to thank Mr. Glass and everyone here tonight. I will be watching the football team next season and wish all of you luck. Go Hoosiers!" The Bloomington South graduate led the Big Ten in passing yardage, passing yardage per game, completions and attempts, finished third in total offense (275.8), touchdowns and TD-interception ratio, and ended up fourth in points responsible for (13.5). On the national stage, Chappell ranked fourth in attempts, sixth in completions, 12th in passing yardage, 14th in passing yardage per game, tied for 21st in touchdowns, 22nd in total offense and tied for 28th in points responsible. Chappell was a quarterfinalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 20), a National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete, a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, one of 10 finalists for the Wuerffel Trophy, selected to the Good Works Team, an ESPN Academic All-District V first team member, an Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. He closed out his career as IU's career leader in completion percentage (61.1), completions (651), attempts (1,066), 300-yard games (9), 250-yard games (13) and 200-yard games (18), ranked second in passing yardage (7,251) and passing touchdowns (45), and finished third in total offense (7,331). Olson, a native of Orland Park, Ill. (Carl Sandburg), is the heart and soul of the Indiana softball team in this, her senior season. She has 24 career home runs to sit in a tie for sixth most in Indiana history. She also has 88 career RBI, which is tied for 10th in the Indiana career list. After serving as one of the top pitchers for the Hoosiers over her first three seasons, this year she has selflessly moved to first base with the addition of All-American pitcher Morgan Melloh and her offensive numbers have gone through the roof. She is second in the Big Ten with a .583 batting average in conference games and leads the conference with a .762 on-base percentage. "Wow, what a great night," said Olson. "I did not expect this. It is an honor to receive this award and congratulations to all the other nominees." Having to overcome a number of obstacles off the field has not detoured Olson from staying active in the Bloomington community. She has helped with the Boy's and Girl's Club of Bloomington as well as the YMCA locally and the Read Across America campaign. In her hometown of Orland Park, Ill., she has volunteered as a junior high volunteer softball coach and with her local youth association, just to name a few. Monday's showcase also featured the following awards:
Aline Robinson Mental Attitude Award (which recognizes female student-athletes for their mental attitude and distinguished performance in athletics and academics on their respective team)
Anita Aldrich Leadership Award (which recognizes a female student-athlete for best exemplifying Anita Aldrich's ideals of leadership, scholastic achievement and athletic ability among all female student-athletes)
Jack D. Tichenor Award (which is given to a male and female student-athlete with the highest grade point average across all sports)
2010 IU Athletes of the Year (which recognizes the dedication, character and on-field excellence that represents the best values and traditions of Indiana University Athletics)
IU Sportsmanship Award (which recognizes student-athletes from each sport for demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship in their respective sport throughout the year)
Hoosier Award (which recognizes a student-athlete for brining honor and distinction to Indiana University in their respective sport during the academic year)
Jake Gimbel Award (which recognizes a male student-athlete for his outstanding mental attitude and distinguished performances in athletics and academics)
CHAMPS Champ Team Award (which is a competition between all Indiana University varsity athletics teams designed to encourage participation in the C.H.A.M.P.S./Life Skills programs, attendance at other teams' events, and community service while awarding academic success)
2010 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars (which is recognized by the Big Ten Conference for maintaining at least a 3.7 grade point average for the previous academic year)
Big Ten Athletes of the Year (2010 and 2011)
2010 Baseball
2011 Men's Soccer
2011 Indoor Track and Field
2010 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans (which is recognized by the Capital One Academic All-America Program and IU for student-athletes' consistent academic excellence and athletic achievement)
2011 Scholastic Achievement Award (which is given to a student-athlete with the highest grade point average from their respective sport)
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