June 9, 2008
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Staci Schottman, NAIA Director of Public Relations and Communications, 816-595-8116
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today
Ben Falkenberg of Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio) and Lindsay Anderson of Doane College (Neb.) the recipients of the prestigious Emil S. Liston Award. The award presented annually by Daktronics recognizes a male and female junior basketball player based on scholarship, character and playing ability. Since 1950, the award honors the memory of the NAIA's first executive director Emil S. Liston. Mr. Liston was the founder of the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB) and played a principal role in the NAIA men's basketball tournament.
"The NAIA is pleased to recognize Ben and Lindsay with the Emil S. Liston Award. The NAIA exists to advance character-driven intercollegiate athletics and these are two great examples of how academic and athletic success can walk hand in hand," said Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO. "On behalf of the NAIA I would like to congratulate Ben and Lindsay and wish them continued success."
Falkenberg and Anderson were selected by the NAIA Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives from a field that included nominees from numerous NAIA member institutions. Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) and Doane College will each receive a $1,000 scholarship award from Daktronics in the name of the winner.
From Wadsworth, Ohio, Falkenberg has been an instrumental part of the MVNU men's basketball program. His accolades boast Conference Player of the Year and NAIA First Team All-American honors. An ultimate team player, Falkenberg and the Cougars were selected for the NAIA National Tournament Team Sportsmanship Award and Buffalo Funds Five Star Award. Falkenberg has a tremendous basketball resume and has helped the Cougars advance to three NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship appearances. In the midst of a tremendous 2007 campaign Falkenberg suffered a broken hand during national championship play. Despite disappointment, he showed great character by immediately becoming the team's biggest fan. Committed to excellence, Falkenberg brings the same drive and determination to the academic setting. A biology major with a rigorous curriculum he continues to grow as a student, athlete and person.
"Ben will be one of the greatest student-athletes to graduate from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He has made a positive impact on and off the court," said Scott Flemming, MVNU Men's Head Basketball Coach. "He is well on his way to being one of the most outstanding players in our program's history."
Sharing the award with Falkenberg is Lindsay Anderson of Doane College. Anderson a guard from Holdrege, Neb. is pursuing a double major in accounting and business finance. A nationally acclaimed basketball player and a team leader on and off the court Anderson represents scholarship, character and outstanding play. A member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and Hansen Leadership Program, Anderson this past season registered a career high 34 points and became Doane's leading scorer (18.2 ppg). Anderson is a NAIA scholar-athlete and Great Plains Athletic Conference scholar-athlete. In addition, Anderson is the quickest player in Doane history to reach 1,000 career points and ranks in the top ten in all-time scoring.
"I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to coach Lindsay Anderson," said Tracee R. Fairbanks, Doane Women's Head Basketball Coach. "Lindsay is the type of person, student and player that all friends want to be acquainted with, all professors what to educate and all coaches dream about coaching."
Falkenberg and Anderson's academic and athletic accomplishments paired with talent on the basketball court makes them the ideal recipients of the Emil S. Liston Award. To learn more about the NAIA and other national and sport specific awards visit www.naia.org.
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The Association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.
Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association's innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves. To learn more visit www.NAIA.org.
About Daktronics
Daktronics is the Official Scoreboard, Timer, Video and Message Center provider of the NAIA. Daktronics is also the exclusive statistical provider of the NAIA. Daktronics also sponsors the NAIA Scholar-Athlete Awards and provides Web casts for National Championship events. Daktronics designs, manufactures, sells and services dynamic visual communication systems for customers worldwide. Daktronics has installed tens of thousands of scoreboards and display systems in more than 70 countries since 1968 when the company was founded. Daktronics customers are typically sports organizations, businesses of all types and sizes and government entities. To learn more visit www.daktronics.com.
