INDIANAPOLIS – Quincy University men’s tennis standout Ian Hinkamper and the Bellarmine University and University of Indianapolis softball teams have been named the recipients of the 2014 Great Lakes Valley Conference Male and Female Sportsmanship Awards, it was announced by the conference office Friday. The GLVC Sportsmanship Award is presented to one male and one female student-athlete or team who has distinguished themselves through demonstrated acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
Nominees for the GLVC Sportsmanship Awards are presented to the conference office by each institution’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and then voted on by the panel of peers at the annual GLVC Spring Meeting in May.
Hinkamper, who recently completed his junior season with his third straight first-team All-Conference distinction, finished 21-7 overall and a perfect 5-0 in league play at the No. 1 singles position this past spring. His singles season was highlighted by a victory over No. 29 Andy Blair of Drury University on April 5 in Springfield, Mo. Hinkamper also had a record of 20-6 in number one doubles play with a 3-2 record in the GLVC. His success extended to the classroom as well. A three-time Academic All-GLVC selection, the Quincy, Ill., native was also recognized as a member of the Capital One Academic All-District® At-Large Teams for district four.
Hinkamper was honored by his peers for his sportsmanship and integrity on the court, which included calling his own shots out of bounds when his opponent was unable to determine the ruling. Furthermore, his actions have been recognized on the court for complimenting his opponent for a good shot or doing something worthy of appreciation from the fans. Called a leader by example by his peers, Hinkamper is the first Quincy male student-athlete to earn the Sportsmanship Award and the second Hawk overall as Lyndsay Kooi was the female honoree in 2011-12.
For the first time since the award’s inception during the 2010-11 season, a team – or in this case two teams – has earned the annual honor.
Bellarmine and Indianapolis have enjoyed a special bond on the diamond over the past three years as they have joined forces to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and one lucky fan. Through MDA Day, held each year during the UIndy/Bellarmine softball doubleheader on the Greyhounds’ home field, the two teams purchase and wear special jerseys that support the cause for the day with “Team Liam” across the back in honor of the nephew of a Greyhound alum affected with muscular dystrophy. Admission to the game is waived in lieu of donations to MDA. At this year’s outing on April 26, the two teams raised nearly $5,000 for the cause.
Prior to the game, a check was presented to Liam’s family with the amount raised, in both the names of UIndy and Bellarmine softball, with both teams taking part in the pregame ceremonies. Liam then threw out the first pitch for the doubleheader, with student-athletes and coaches from both teams cheering him on.
In light of this rivalry being contested during the last weekend of the regular season when both teams are fighting for postseason seeds, this act of joining together exemplifies the type of sportsmanship the GLVC encourages from its league members.
Hinkamper and both softball programs are just the fourth recipients to receive this honor and will also be the GLVC nominees for the 2014 NCAA Student-Athlete Sportsmanship Awards.
The NCAA Student-Athlete Sportsmanship Awards honors student-athletes who, through their actions in the competitive arena of intercollegiate athletics, have demonstrated one or more of the ideals of sportsmanship, including fairness, civility, honesty, unselfishness, respect and responsibility. Selections are made will be made this August by the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct.