KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

ST. LOUIS – Indiana State senior women's golf athlete Amanda Smith was one of 10 athletes to be honored with the Missouri Valley Conference Leadership and Service Fall Award. Smith is the fourth member of the Sycamore women's golf team to be honored with the award since the Valley began the recognition in 2008.

In an effort to honor the achievements of exceptional student-athletes, the Missouri Valley Conference has created the MVC Leadership & Service Award. Ten student-athletes have been named by Commissioner Doug Elgin as the honorees for the 2014-15 Fall season.

“I was watching Amanda play last week and I commented to my assistant how incredible it was to see how much Amanda has grown as a person in her four years here,” Greg Towne, Indiana State women's golf coach, said. “She has passion in all that she does, whether it is helping kids with her many volunteer opportunities or helping her team and teammates be the best they can be. She embraces every day and every challenge with a grateful attitude. I am extremely thankful to have her a part of our program here at Indiana State.”

In addition to Smith, this year's Fall honorees include Jessica Teel, Bradley, Volleyball; Cassandra Aerts, Drake, Women's Cross Country; Matthew Hamilton, Evansville, Men's Cross Country; Mathew McCown, Illinois State, Football; Eric Schoendorf, Loyola, Men's Soccer; Leah Reitmayer, Missouri State, Field Hockey; Jack Rummells, Northern Iowa, Football; Tori Parry, Southern Illinois, Women's Cross Country; Katie Reilly, Wichita State, Volleyball.

Smith has excelled in the classroom and on the golf course throughout her time at Indiana State. The Canton, Ohio, native earned her first All-Missouri Valley Conference recognition last spring when she tied for second at the MVC Women's Golf Championship. She is also a two-time member of the MVC Scholar-Athlete team, a Women's Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar, and a two-time Academic All-American.

Despite a heavy competition and academic schedule Smith has also found time to volunteer at numerous events. She was a member of the Take Back the Night March and volunteered for the Women's Equality March. She has also been a volunteer at the Bridgestone PGA Tour Invitational in Akron, Ohio, Boy Scouts Sports Workshop, Adventure Camp, Children's Museum, Special Olympics Basketball Winter, Indiana Special Olympics Summer, and Jam the Bus.

She has also served as clinician at the Missouri Valley Conference SAAC Boys and Girls Sports Camp, volunteered for the Indiana State Women's Youth Golf Clinic, Autism Awareness Golf Outing, Ladies Tee Golf Outing, The First Tee in Canton, Ohio, YMCA Fitness for Life Event, Scout Reach and Happiness Bag, and Bridges of Indiana. She also tied blankets with SAAC.

Smith has recorded 18 top 20 finishes in her career as a Sycamore including four in the top five and 10 in the top 10. She started her senior campaign by tying for fourth at the season opening WIU Autumn Invitational and closed out the fall by tying for 10th at the rain shortened Charles Braun Intercollegiate.

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 MVC Leadership & Service Award honorees.

Indiana State Leadership & Service Recipients

2014 Fall – Amanda Smith, Women's Golf

2014 Spring – McCall Christopher, Women's Golf

2014 Winter – Kelly Steffen, Women's Track & Field

2013 Fall – Zakee Bashir, Football

2013 Spring – Devon Moore, Baseball

2013 Winter – Rachael Johnson, Women's Track & Field

2012 Fall – Kylee Thacker, Women's Cross Country

2012 Spring – Lindsay Belsser, Softball

2012 Winter – Andrea Rademacher, Women's Basketball

2011 Fall – Taylor Hancock, Women's Soccer

2011 Spring – Kasey Kahle, Women's Track & Field

2011 Winter – Aaron Carter, Men's Basketball

2010 Fall – Emily Lahay, Women's Soccer

2010 Spring – Mackenzie Mack, Women's Golf

2010 Winter – Kelsie Cooley, Women's Basketball

2009 Fall – Scott Keeney, Men's Cross Country

2009 Spring – Breanne Smith, Women's Golf

2009 Winter – Kelsey Luna, Women's Basketball

2008 Fall – Kelli Whitaker, Women's Volleyball