Nov. 5, 2008

ST. LOUIS - Jeff Schirmer of Southern Illinois University and Sally Kulupka of the University of Evansville have been selected the Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Week, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. Schirmer and Kulupka were honored for their performances during the period of October 27-November 2.

Now in its tenth year of existence, The Valley's Scholar-Athlete program is sponsored by Prairie Farms, Roberts and Hiland Dairies. On a weekly basis, the Conference honors its student-athletes for their athletic performance for a one-week period and academic success in the classroom.

"Prairie Farms and its family of dairies have been the only sponsors of this worthwhile endeavor by the Missouri Valley Conference," said Commissioner Elgin, who is in his 21st year with The Valley. "We are grateful for Prairie Farms continued recognition of our student-athletes for their athletic performance and academic success."

A member of the Southern Illinois men's cross country team, Schirmer, a junior from Troy, Ill., led the Salukis to their second-consecutive State Farm MVC Championship crown on Saturday, November 1, in Springfield, Mo.

The Missouri Valley Conference Cross Country Athlete of the Year, Schirmer, who has a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average in accounting, captured his second-straight individual title in a time of 24:18.73, establishing a course record at Missouri State University.

An outside hitter for the UNI volleyball team, Kulupka, a senior from Delphi, Ind., powered the Purple Aces to victories against Bradley (3-0) on Oct. 31 and UNI (3-1) on Nov. 1.

Kulupka, who has a 3.58 cumulative grade-point average in nursing, averaged 4.0 kills per set in the two contests, as UE improved to 7-5 in the league -- its best MVC record this deep into the season since 2000.

Versus Bradley, she hit .273 with 11 kills and two block assists, and against UNI, Kulupka posted a match-high 17 kills while hitting .256 in the Aces' first win in 31 all-time matches against the Panthers.

To qualify for Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.