Williams' Schultz, UW-Stout's Hirssig Honored

Contact: Brad Bankston (brad@odaconline.com)
Contact: J.J. Nekoloff (jnekoloff@odaconline.com)  
Contact: Mollie Robertson (mollie@odaconline.com)

SALEM, Va. --- Blake Schultz of Williams College and University of Wisconsin-Stout's Julia Hirssig are the 2010 recipients of the Jostens Trophy. The annual awards recognize outstanding student-athletes in NCAA Division III basketball for excellence in the classroom, on the playing court and in the community.

The winners were chosen by a national selection committee that consists of college coaches, former athletes, college administrators and selected members of the media. The members of the national selection committee cast their votes based on three criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess and community service.

The awards presentation for the Jostens Trophy is set for March 18 held in conjunction with the Salem Rotary Club's weekly meeting at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Virginia.

Shultz Makes His Mark on the Court and in the Classroom
"Blake has been an inspiration to his teammates, peers, and youth ever since he set foot on the Williams campus. He challenges himself and everyone around him to make a difference in the lives of others. I have never met a student-athlete who is more efficient, disciplined, and service oriented than Blake Schultz," said Head Men's Basketball Coach, Mike Maker.

A native of Atherton, Calif., Schultz has been a dominant force on the Eph's basketball team for the last four years. He will graduate in June ranking in the top ten in scoring and rebounding at Williams. This season, the senior forward leads the NESCAC in scoring with 18.6 points per game and is dishing out a team-best 1.6 assists per outing.

A recipient of many athletic accolades over the years, Schultz has been tabbed to the All-NESCAC First Team for two-straight seasons, including being tabbed the 2009-10 NESCAC Player of the year.

In the classroom, Schultz is an Economics/Pre-Med major and sports a 3.29 grade point average. He is a candidate for medical school, but was recently accepted into the Teach for America Program where he will pursue that avenue and delay medical school for two years.

Schultz is the first two-time winner of the Sinc Hart Award for a Williams men's basketball player, who has been a valued good-will ambassador for his sport, College, and community through community service commitments. For three years, he has served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee at Williams and has participated in the nationwide Best-Buddies program mentoring mentally challenged youths.

Additionally, Schultz has coordinated Eph team relationships with the local A Better Chance (ABC) program and nearby Berkshire Farm Center (juvenile delinquents in a New York State residence facility), enabling the participants to visit practices and meet and correspond with players. Furthermore, he coordinated free summer basketball camp opportunities for ABC students. Also, he has served as the basketball team's Toys for Tots representative and was the co-organizer for the Williams Basketball Care for Cancer Fundraiser, raising over $12,000.

Hirssig Finishes Impressive Athletic and Academic Career
"[Julia's] accomplishments are many and impressive, but it is her drive and commitment to raise the standards of her teammates and fellow students that is most impressive. Julia's ability to balance both her academics and athletic goals has been a real lesson to me and our program. She has laid down a blueprint for our program that will be a part of UW-Stout Women's Basketball forever," said Head Women's Basketball Coach, Mark Thomas.

UW-Stout senior forward, Hirssig, a native of Rochester, Minn., has just wrapped up an impressive career. A three-year starter, Hirssig owns the school scoring record with 1,738 points. She has started 79 consecutive games and has played in all 108 games since her freshman year. A pre-season All-America pick, Hirssig led the league in scoring and rebounding this year. She dropped in 21.4 points per game and grabbed 10.6 rebounds per outing. Hirssig also ranked first in NCAA Division III with a .682 (217-318) field goal percentage.

Over her four years, Hirssig has collected several athletic awards. She is a two-time First Team All-WIAC member and was named the 2010 All-WIAC Player of the Year. Additionally, Hirssig was tabbed the WIAC Player of the Week two times this season. She collected 14 double doubles, scored in double digits in 26 of 27 games, scored more than 20 points in 20 games and more than 30 points in three games.

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, the Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management major boosts a 3.959 grade point average in the classroom and has just as many academic honors. Hirssig is a two-time First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® pick as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Additionally, she has earned the Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence seven times.

Hirssig is also a prominent figure within the community. She volunteers at two different elementary schools and at the Salvation Army. On campus, Hirssig serves as a student housing resident assistant and as a Quantity Foods Production lab assistant. She also works with the Blue Devil Buddies program and is a UW-Stout Career services volunteer.

Jostens Trophy Celebrates 13th Anniversary
The Josten's Trophy is a joint creation of Jostens, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn., and the Rotary Club of Salem, Va. The purpose of the award is to honor the true Division III student-athlete - the athlete that shows excellence in the classroom, on the playing floor and in the community. In addition to the Trophy, the Wooldridge Scholarship, a $1,000 donation, will be presented in the name of the winner to his/her institution. The scholarship was named after Dan Wooldridge, a Salem Rotarian and retired Commissioner of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, as a way of honoring him for his long-time dedication to Division III athletics.

** Minneapolis-based Jostens is a leading provider of products and services that help recognize achievement and affiliation throughout people's lives. The company specializes in championships rings and awards in addition to yearbooks, class rings, graduation products, school photography and corporate programs.

Jostens Trophy Recipients