ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Drake University fifth-year senior Avery Fuhs, an offensive lineman on the football team, has earned the Missouri Valley Conference Leadership and Service Award, the conference announced this week. He is one of 10 MVC student-athletes to earn the award for the 2012 fall season.

In order to be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be in good academic standing, demonstrate good citizenship through good sportsmanship and significant community service and must participate in a sport, during the season of recognition. 

In addition to serving as a team captain and leading the Bulldogs' offensive line, Fuhs has been tireless in his service to the Des Moines and Iowa community while maintaining a 3.46 grade point average in his pursuit a double major in biology and biochemistry, cell and a molecular biology.

The Chariton, Iowa native has been instrumental in the team's volunteer efforts at Blank Children's Hospital as well as Meals From the Heartland each of his five seasons in the program. A regular volunteer at the Iowa Homeless Shelter and Veterans Affairs Hospital, he also helped remodel the Ronald McDonald Houst at Iowa Methodist Hospital and regularly participates in the Bulldogs' elementary school reading program.

Joining Fuhs in earning the Leadership and Service Award is Emily Wolbers, Bradley; Brooke Boggs, Creighton; Dani Langness, Evansville; Kristen Zillmer, Illinois State; Kylee Thacker, Indiana State; Chelsea; Jennifer Willms, UNI; Bailey Yeager, Southern Illinois and Samantha Shukla, Wichita State.