DEC. 17, 2008

ST. LOUIS , MO.   -- Drake junior guard Josh Young of Drake and Nicolle Lewis of Illinois State University have been selected the Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Week, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today.  Young and Lewis were honored for their performances during the period of December 8-14.  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.

Young, a native of  Lawton, Okla., averaged 22.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game, as the Bulldogs won at Iowa State (66-63 on Dec. 9), defeated Georgia Southern (84-73 on Dec. 12) and fell to Stephen F. Austin (66-64 on Dec. 13).

Young, who has a 3.16 cumulative grade-point average in marketing and management, powered Drake to its road triumph at Iowa State, collecting 19 points, five boards and three steals.  In the Hy-Vee Classic, he averaged 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest to earn all-tournament honors.

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.

 “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.  “Our student-athletes consistently deliver athletic performance and academic success, and we are grateful that we have the opportunity to recognize Josh (Young) and Nicolle (Lewis) through this program.”