Ivanic and Maarschalk are top scholar-athletes
April 17, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Brittanny Ivanic, a junior from Saugus, Calif., and senior Ryan Maarschalk of Harare, Zimbabwe, are the 2003 recipients of Western Michigan University's Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards.
Sponsored by the WMU Alumni Association, the awards recognize the female and male varsity letter-winner with the highest cumulative grade-point average. Only juniors and seniors are eligible.
A midfielder on the women's soccer team, Ivanic owns a 3.92 overall GPA as an elementary education major. She has appeared in 46 career games for the Broncos and has earned a varsity letter in each of her first three seasons. Ivanic was named to the Mid-American Conference Honor Roll in 2001 and has made the dean's list all five semesters since enrolling at WMU.
Maarschalk, a member of the men's tennis team, earned top male scholar-athlete honors for the second straight year. He carries a 3.72 overall GPA, majoring in biomedical studies. A three-time letter winner, Maarschalk ranks 11th on WMU's all-time wins list with 160 and has helped the Broncos claim a MAC regular season title, a MAC Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament berth.
This year's awards were presented at the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics' Senior Recognition Banquet April 13 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo. Kenneth V. Miller, vice president of the WMU Alumni Association and a member of the University's Board of Trustees, presented the scholar-athlete awards to Ivanic and Maarschalk. Miller was also the keynote speaker at the banquet.
"The scholar-athlete awards are based on merit, recognizing great accomplishments on the field and courts, as well as in the classroom," said Jeffrey A. Stone, associate athletic director who administers athletic academic services. "This award represents a commitment to sport and academics over an extended period of time."
Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award recipients
2003
Brittanny Ivanic, women's soccer
Ryan Maarschalk, men's tennis
2002
Kyle Schultz, women's cross country, track & field
Ryan Maarschalk, men's tennis
2001
Connie Lee, synchronized skating
Mark Wilkinson, hockey
2000
Kylie Schultz, women's cross country, track & field
Jeff Brink, men's tennis
1999
Kim Edwards, women's cross country, track & field
Jeff Brink, men's tennis
1998
Michelle Richardson, women's cross country, track & field
Jamie Strieter, women's track & field
Jeff Rucinski, hockey
1997
Liz Gunn, volleyball, women's soccer
Jeff Rucinski, hockey
Media contact: Daniel Jankowski, 269 387-4138, daniel.jankowski@wmich.edu