Springfield, Ohio — While the Wittenberg University Department of Athletics can boast of a variety of outstanding team and individual athletic accomplishments again this academic year, another great source of pride is created by the performance of Tiger athletes in the classroom. It, too, has been exceptional.

For starters, Amy Cox, class of 2011 from Newark, Ohio, and Jeremy Block, class of 2011 from Pittsburgh, Pa., have earned North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Student-Athlete Awards, presented annually to Wittenberg student-athletes who perform with distinction both in the classroom and on the playing field. One male and one female student-athlete from each of the NCAC's 10 member institutions are selected for the award annually.

Amy Cox

Cox successfully made the switch from right-side hitter to setter for the Tiger volleyball team in 2010 and flourished, leading the Tigers and the NCAC with 1,025 assists and ranking among the team leaders in kills (110), aces (19), digs (178) and blocks (32). She earned first-team All-NCAC honors after garnering second-team All-NCAC at her previous position a year earlier, in addition to second-team CoSIDA Academic All-District IV in recognition of the combination of athletic and academic accomplishments.

Cox also was named 2010 NCAC Tournament MVP before claiming first-team All-Great Lakes Region and first-team All-America honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She led the Tigers to a 32-3 overall record after losing to eventual national champion Calvin in the Round of 16. Along the way, Wittenberg earned its 15th straight NCAA Division III Tournament bid (16th overall) by winning the NCAC Tournament title for a 16th time since the Tigers joined the league in 1989. Wittenberg tied Hiram at 13-1 atop the NCAC regular season standings, also the Tigers' 16th title.

Cox is an education major who carries a 3.71 grade point average while participating in a wide variety of extracurricular activities at Wittenberg, including Mortar Board, multiple academic and leadership honoraries, student government, the Emerging Leaders program and Ivy Ring. In addition, Cox participated in a service trip to the impoverished African kingdom of Lesotho in 2009.

Jeremy Block

Block also earned first-team CoSIDA Academic All-America College Division All-District IV honors in 2010. An art major, Block carries a 3.63 grade point average while participating in a variety of extracurricular activities at Wittenberg. Block's charitable activities are of most note, earning him a nomination to the American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team in 2010. He has been a team leader as the Tiger football squad has participated in Wittenberg's Relay for Life event the last two years, and Block was the student organizer of the university's annual Empty Bowls event on March 24, which raised more than $35,000 for local food banks.

On the field, Block made the most of his 5-9 stature, starting every game on the offensive line between 2008 and 2010, and serving as a team captain as a senior. After two years as a starting guard, including an All-NCAC performance as the Tigers won the title and advanced all the way to the NCAA Division III Tournament quarterfinals in 2009, Block moved to center in 2010 and helped the Tigers repeat as conference champions. He earned a second straight All-NCAC nod for his performance last fall.

Block was one of 27 NCAA Division III semifinalists for the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes academic and athletic success, leadership and citizenship. He helped the Tigers to the outright NCAC title with a perfect 6-0 record, which advanced the Tigers to their 14th NCAA Division III Tournament, where they lost 37-14 at Ohio Northern in the first round.

In addition, 43 Wittenberg student-athletes have been selected for induction into Chi Alpha Sigma, a National College Athlete Honor Society that recognizes student-athletes for their ability to excel in both academics and athletics. Nominees must have at least a 3.4 GPA on a 4.0 scale, have earned at least one varsity letter and have achieved junior or senior academic status.

Wittenberg's 2011 Chi Alpha Sigma inductees are:

• Alyssa Ashbaugh, class of 2012 from Gahanna, Ohio (Field Hockey)
• 
  
• Spencer Baker, class of 2012 from Worthington, Ohio (Lacrosse)
• 
  
• Clayton Black, class of 2012 from Lancaster, Ohio (Basketball)
• 
  
• Alex Brandt, class of 2012 from Lewis Center, Ohio (Basketball)
• 
  
• Darcey Caciano, class of 2012 from St. Louis, Mo. (Field Hockey)
• 
  
• Tori Casanta, class of 2011 from Mason, Ohio (Field Hockey)
• 
  
• Kyler Cowgill, class of 2012 from Worthington, Ohio (Cross Country/Track)
• 
  
• Kari Domiano, class of 2012 from Dublin, Ohio (Track)
• 
  
• Darcy Dubuc, class of 2012 from Grand Haven, Mich. (Cross Country/Track)
• 
  
• Michael Duffy, class of 2012 from Lewis Center, Ohio (Basketball)
• 
  
• Kimmie Dyer, class of 2012 from Copley, Ohio (Volleyball)
• 
  
• Catherine Farny, class of 2012 from Fort Wayne, Ind. (Volleyball)
• 
  
• Sam Gardner, class of 2012 from Noblesville, Ind. (Basketball)
• 
  
• Nicole George, class of 2012 from Independence, Ohio (Swimming)
• 
  
• Lindsay Hanners, class of 2012 from New Albany, Ohio (Lacrosse)
• 
  
• Zach Hedges, class of 2012 from Carroll, Ohio (Soccer)
• 
  
• Anna Henry, class of 2012 from Chagrin Falls, Ohio (Cross Country/Track)
• 
  
• Brian Hertzog, class of 2012 from Champaign, Ill. (Soccer)
• 
  
• Samantha Iden, class of 2012 from Pickerington, Ohio (Cross Country/Track)
• 
  
• Allie Keefer, class of 2012 from West Chester, Ohio (Soccer)
• 
  
• Sarah Kropa, class of 2012 from Lilburn, Ga. (Cross Country/Track & Field)
• 
  
• Catherine Kuerbitz, class of 2012 from Cleveland, Ohio (Track)
• 
  
• Rachel Lee, class of 2012 from Hickory, NC (Swimming)
• 
  
• Jessica Mead, class of 2012 from Columbus, Ohio (Lacrosse)
• 
  
• Jordan Millice, class of 2012 from Cable, Ohio (Golf)
• 
  
• Hillary Monnin, class of 2012 from Russia, Ohio (Volleyball)
• 
  
• Jenna Montali, class of 2012 from Richmond Heights, Ohio (Swimming)
• 
  
• Michael Murphy, class of 2012 from Carmel, Ind. (Swimming)
• 
  
• Ray Noe, class of 2011 from Dublin, Ohio (Baseball)
• 
  
• Kacia Nolan, class of 2012 from Speedway, Ind. (Tennis)
• 
  
• Lindsay Pepper, class of 2011 from Edina, Minn. (Cross Country/Track)
• 
  
• Mary Pfeifer, class of 2012 from Dublin, Ohio (Cross Country/Track)
• 
  
• David Rea, class of 2012 from Rocky River, Ohio (Soccer)
• 
  
• Jennifer Schaafsma, class of 2012 from Grand Rapids, Mich. (Field Hockey/Lacrosse)
• 
  
• Hannah Scheckelhoff, class of 2011 from New Albany, Ohio (Field Hockey)
• 
  
• Christine Simpson, class of 2012 from Dublin, Ohio (Volleyball)
• 
  
• Amy Stamon, class of 2012 from Louisville, Ky. (Cross Country/Track)
• 
  
• Samantha Swanton, class of 2012 from Saginaw, Mich. (Cross Country/Track)
• 
  
• Aaron Swartz, class of 2012 from Perrysburg, Ohio (Cross Country)
• 
  
• Megan Tassone, class of 2012 from Cincinnati, Ohio (Swimming)
• 
  
• Valerie Vogt, class of 2012 from Wexford, Pa. (Cross Country/Track)
• 
  
• Sarah Watson, class of 2012 from Hudson, Ohio (Basketball)
• 
  
• Jacob Weide, class of 2012 from Fort Wayne, Ind. (Basketball)
• 
  
• Mallory Wigton, class of 2012 from Lancaster, Ohio (Cross Country)

"These student-athletes embody the mission of Wittenberg and the North Coast Athletic Conference in their tremendous academic and athletic achievement," said Assistant Director of Athletics Ali Teopas, who serves as Wittenberg's Chi Alpha Sigma advisor. "Congratulations to each of these student-athletes for the excellence they display in the classroom and on the playing field."

Written By: Ryan Maurer
Photos By: Erin Pence

022-11