INDIANAPOLIS – Lewis University has been chosen as the first recipient of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Dr. Joseph J. McGowan Visionary Award, the Conference office announced Tuesday.
Named after Dr. Joseph J. McGowan, President at Bellarmine University for 26 years who passed away on March 1, 2016, this award will be presented annually to the GLVC institution that displays vision and exemplary programming to promote and advance the student-athlete experience.
Lewis was selected for its “Spread Your Wings” program, which is a community engagement initiative that incorporates the five commitment areas (academic, athletic, career development, personal development and service) of the NCAA/CHAMPS Life Skills program. The initiative includes a contest among all of the athletics programs where each team is measured based on its participation.
Some of the highlights include awarding points for postseason academic honors, team finish in the league and NCAA postseason as well as for earning All-GLVC accolades. The career development category is broken down by class year with points awarded appropriately. For example, a freshman can get points for submitting a first draft of their resume, a sophomore can attend two career preparation workshops and juniors are able to earn points for setting an appointment with a career counselor to discuss their resubmitted resume. Seniors, on the other hand, can get points for attending workshops, too, but are also able to garner bonus points for scheduling a mock interview.
Personally, student-athletes can accrue points for joining a club or student organization, attending a campus speaker session, an alcohol education class, or a campus play, among other options. And, lastly, opportunity for earning points in the service commitment section include volunteering at a soup kitchen, participating in the SAAC Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser or reading to grade-school children, along with three other options.
“Our student-athletes with assistance from our great staff here at Lewis continue to do an amazing job in the classroom, in competition, with their personal and career development and helping out in the community,” Lewis Associate Director of Athletics and program coordinator Brian Sisson said. "Our student-athletes realize that they are leaders in this community and all of our programs take that to heart. It is truly an honor to be selected for this inaugural award.”
Overall, Flyers student-athletes are able to choose between 25 different possible points options that give each of them a chance to spread their wings beyond the competition surface and classroom.