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INDIANAPOLIS – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced Thursday its new “GLVC is ME” campaign -- a season-long video and social media initiative to share the story of the GLVC student-athlete.
The “GLVC is ME” campaign is derived from the NCAA Division II’s new branding initiative, “Make It Yours.”
This past September at the GLVC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Fall Meeting, the GLVC produced a 30-second video that shows the personal side of a student-athlete representing each of the league’s 16 member institutions.
“After having our student-athletes speak on behalf of the Conference last year in regards to sportsmanship and the national ‘It’s On Us’ sexual-assault awareness campaign, it was exciting to shine the spotlight on their amazing personal stories this season,” said GLVC Commissioner Jim Naumovich. “There is no better way to make it yours than by telling your personal story and how being a Division II student-athlete has affected it.”
The videos were produced by Greers N Motion, and will be shown on both GLVC Championship and regular-season coverage on the GLVC Sports Network.
Below are brief previews of the 16 student-athletes featured in the videos, which can also be found in this “GLVC is ME” YouTube playlist
here.
- Bellarmine University softball player
Rachel Fox lives her life on her mother's advice: "Don't let softball define you." So she volunteers at treatment centers for abused women and hopes to counsel victims of human trafficking in the future.
- Drury University tennis star
Hadeil Ali's journey has been mapped from California to England to Egypt to Bahrain to Qatar to Missouri. And now this Egyptian and American citizen wants to work at the United Nations to build a better world.
- University of Illinois Springfield basketball player
Meredith Marti calls her grandfather her biggest fan, so it's no surprise that if the stars align, you will find her in the field of senior living after college.
- University of Indianapolis track and field standout
Iman Tucker learned early on that his sport is a symbol that you can overcome anything your body throws at you. Even cancer.
- Lewis University track and field star
Phoenix Smallwood has won both the GLVC Indoor and Outdoor Long Jump titles. Perhaps it is fitting she attends a school known for taking flight, but she’s known for staying grounded as well.
- Maryville University golfer
Brad Patz enjoys how each shot demands you assess risk, so it makes sense that he is looking to become a professional in the field of actuarial science.
- McKendree University track and field standout
Ciara Jones has always had compassion for others, which is easy to understand given she is the daughter of a nurse.
- Missouri S&T pole vaulter
Tim Sills has followed both his father's example and his advice. After losing his mother when he was 6, his father has stressed "Work hard to get a good education." And now here he is...
- University of Missouri-St. Louis pitcher
Kevin Smith learned early on from working in construction that you can't rush a good job. So after injuring his arm, he waited, and when he was ready, he returned to guide his team to victory.
- Quincy University tennis standout
Morgan McGinnis suffered a stroke in high school. Her left side was paralyzed and she had to learn to walk again. Now she is playing tennis in college.
- Rockhurst University golfer
Colleen Garvey spends most of her time now on the links, but has spent the majority of her life just outside the ballpark.
- Saint Joseph's College golfer
Molly Flynn is a twin who loves to volunteer, and most importantly, smile. So it's no surprise she wants to be a dentist.
- University of Southern Indiana basketball star
Kendyl Dearing may have lost vision in her left eye, but has not lost sight on being the very best she can be both on and off the court.
- Truman State University tennis player
Paul Province comes from a family of being all business, but has managed to keep life fun by being the first in his family to play tennis, ride a unicycle, and juggle.
- University of Wisconsin-Parkside women's basketball standout
Tara Knapstein has been fortunate to have family support growing up in Wisconsin, which has allowed her to play the game she loves.
- William Jewell College golfer
Logan Routh practices the family motto of "working hard and playing hard" by being a triple major during the week and hitting the links on the weekend.
The following is a list of GLVC student-athletes who will also be featured throughout the season in the campaign’s print/social media efforts.
- Bellarmine University pitcher
Cole Metcalfe
- University of Illinois Springfield basketball player
Morgan Knorr
- University of Indianapolis wrestler
Lucas Rooney
- Lewis University basketball standout
David Heckman
- Maryville University basketball star
Evan Booker
- Missouri S&T cross country runner
James Brizendine
- Quincy University tennis player
Amy Kuhle
- Saint Joseph’s College golfer
Grant Doyle
- University of Southern Indiana basketball player
Kyle Aiton
- Truman State University track and field competitor
Nicole Neville
- William Jewell College track and field standout
Colton Simmons