In an effort to honor model student-athletes, the Missouri Valley Conference, in partnership with State Farm, has created the MVC State Farm Good Neighbor Award.  Ten student-athletes have been named by Commissioner Doug Elgin as the honorees following the winter semester.

Winter honorees include Renee Frericks, Bradley, Women's Basketball, Sr.; Megan Neuvirth, Creighton, Women's Basketball, Sr.; Diedra Dirth, Drake, Indoor Track & Field, Sr.; Amy Gallagher, Evansville, Women's Basketball, Sr.; Amy Werkema, Illinois State, Swimming/Diving, Sr.; Kelsie Cooley, Indiana State, Women's Basketball, Jr.; Will Creekmore, Missouri State, Men's Basketball, Jr.; Jacqui Kalin, UNI, Women's Basketball, So.; Malaikah Love, Southern Illinois, Indoor Track & Field, So.; Marisah Henderson, Wichita State, Women's Basketball, Sr.

In order to be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be in good academic standing, must demonstrate good citizenship through good sportsmanship and significant community service, and must participate in a sport, during the season of recognition.   The Valley will recognize 10 student-athletes three times annually (fall, winter, spring), for a total of 30 honorees.  Institutions select their Good Neighbor Award honorees.

State Farm Insurance is a long-time sponsor of the Missouri Valley Conference and sponsors all 18 MVC championship events.   Also, State Farm is a prominent sponsor of the league's television network and a sponsor of the Missouri Valley Conference's community outreach program, "Just Read!"

Renee Frericks, Bradley, Women's Basketball, Sr.

3.92 GPA

Bradley Country Financial Scholar-Athlete of the Week (twice)

Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Every Semester)

MVC Comissioner's Academic Excellence Award 2009

MVC Honor Roll

Just Read! Volunteer

Volunteers to read at local schools

Vvisits with patients at Methodist Medical Center & OSF Children's Hospital

High School Math Tutor volunteer

Member of Student Athlete Advisary comitee 2007-Present

Megan Neuvirth, Creighton, Women's Basketball, Sr.

3.36 GPA

2008-09 MVC Scholar Athlete - Second Team

Three-time MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week

Has been named to Dean's List seven times

2010 CoSiDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Region VII Second Team

Special Olympics - Nebraska Volunteer

Habitat for Humanity Women's Build: June 2009

Just Read!

Youth Basketball Clinics and Camps

Teammates Mentor (2007- Present)

Homeless Collection

Night out with the Jays

Holiday Collection for Siena Francis House

Operation Others: package and deliver food to underprivileged families around Christmas time: December 2007,2008

Adopt a Family

Diedra Dirth, Drake, Indoor Track & Field, Sr.

Drake Presidential Scholar

Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology

Graduate of Drake University Don V. Adams Leadership Academy

2009 MVC Track and Field Scholar-Athlete List

Dean’s List

President’s List

Top Junior Leadership Award

Student-Athlete Advisory Council

Organized 2009 Athletic Charity Ball / Toys for Tots Fundraiser

Sports Business Association, Vice President

Emerging Leaders Model Mentor

Fellowship of Christian Athletes, student leader

Student-Athlete Mentor

Drake Track and Field Captain (2007-present)

Des Moines Sports Commission Board Member

National Society for Human Resource Management

Professional Research in Psychology (2008-Present)

Amy Gallagher, Evansville, Women's Basketball, Sr.

3.47 Cumulative GPA in Exercise and Sport Science, Physical Therapy Assistant Major

Earned Dean's List Twice

UE Student-Athete Academic Honor Roll Twice

Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure Volunteer

UE United Way of Caring Volunteer

Kiwanis Back to School Program Volunteer

Riley Children's Hospital Festival Volunteer

Mentor at Lodge Elementary School

Women's Basketball Team Spokesperson for the Hoops for the Cure game for brest cancer awareness

Family Day in the Park Volunteer

Adopt-A-Family Volunteer

Dr. Seuss Read Across America Volunteer

YMCA Half Marathon Volunteer

Step Out for Diabetes Walk Volunteer

Amy Werkema, Illinois State, Swimming/Diving, Sr.

AFNI Athletics Honor Roll every semester

MVC Honor Roll

All-Missouri Valley Conference Honorable Mention and Scholar Athlete Teams

Student Athlete Advisory Council

Just Read! Program

Recess Buddies

Christmas for Kids

Relay for Life

American Red Cross Evening with the Stars

Reggie Fun Zones

Birds in the Burbs

Kelsie Cooley, Indiana State, Women's Basketball, Jr.

Maintained a 4.0 Cumulative GPA in Marketing

Athletic Directors Honor Roll - Fall & Spring 2007-08

MVC Honor Roll - Fall & Spring 2007-08

Athletic Directors Honor Roll - Fall & Spring 2009-09

MVC Honor Roll - Fall & Spring 2008-09

Indiana State University Dean's List 2007-08, 2008-09

MVC Comissioner's Excellence Award

Wabash Valley Race for the Cure/ Susan G. Koman Volunteer

Memory Walk for Alzheimer's Disease volunteer and walk participant

Wabash Valley Heart Walk Volunteer

Sycamore Manor Volunteer/ SAAC Food Drive Coordinator

Will Creekmore, Missouri State, Men's Basketball, Jr.

4.0 Fall 2009 semester GPA

Recognized member of Dean’s List

Member of Athletics Director Honor Roll

All MVC Scholar Athlete First Team

Twice selected Prairie Farms MVC Scholar Athlete of the week

Reading to youth at local elementary schools

Participant in the “Miles for Myles” fundraiser

Jacqui Kalin, UNI, Women's Basketball, So.

4.0 cumulative GPA sports psychology undergraduate degree

Dean's list Fall 2009, Spring 2009, Fall 2008, Spring 2008, Fall 2007

MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week Dec 7-13, 2009

National Society of Collegiate Scholars, member

Just Read! Volunteer 2010

2009 Eastern Iowa VolunteerVariety (The Children's Charity) Telethon Volunteer, February 2009

House of Hope Volunteer, 2009

Habitat for Humanity Volunteer, 2009

"Character Counts" Panel Speaker, 2008

Point Guard College Volunteer Coach, Summer 2008, 3 sessions

Summer Flood Relief Volunteer, 2008

Special Olympics Volunteer, 2008

Safe Date Tailgate Volunteer, Fall 2007

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Vice President, 2009-10

SAAC member, 2007-present

Malaikah Love, Southern Illinois, Indoor Track & Field, So.

Saluki Scholar - 2009

Dean's List - Fall 2008

MVC Conference Honor Roll - Spring 2009

W&D Meeks Athletic Scholarship Endowment - 2009-2010

SIU Athletics Haloween Bash, 2008

Keep Carbondale Beautiful, 2009

SIU Varsity Club Gathering, 2009

MVC/State Farm Just Read!, 2009

Book in Every Home, 2009

SIU Athletics Santa's Shoebox,2008

SIU Athletics Thank-A-Thon, 2009

Family/School Summit, 2009

SIU Athletics Haloween Bash, 2009

Marisah Henderson, Wichita State, Women's Basketball, Sr.

Junior College Transfer; 2.642 GPA

Dean's Honor Roll - 1 semester

Athletic Director's Honor Roll - 2 Semesters

Shocks

Cops & Kids

Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure

Victory in the Valley Run

Wichita Children's Home

Woof Stock

New Song Academy

Lord's Diner

Wesley Medical Center Pediatrics

Missouri Valley Conference "Just Read!" Program

Lynette Woodard Children's Home