ST. LOUIS – Drake track & field student-athlete Pur Biel was honored with a State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Good Neighbor Award, the league announced on Friday (May 13). Ten student-athletes have been named by Commissioner Jeff Jackson as the honorees for the 2021-22 Spring season.

In the classroom, he has earned multiple academic honors including being selected to Academic All American Third Team, ICCAC Academic All-Region First Team (2020) and ICCAC Academic All-Region Second Team (2019)
 
Pur Biel has been active in not only the local community, but has made a difference globally as a member of the Olympic Refugee Foundation Board Member (2017-Present), while being a United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill, Ambassador (2020). He was also a Refugee Olympic Team Leader and Spokesperson (2021-2022) in addition to serving as an International Olympic Committee Member.

This year's Spring honorees include Connor O'Brien, Bradley, Baseball; Pur Biel, Drake, Men's Track and Field; Mackenzie McFeron, Evansville, Softball; Rachel Hickey, Illinois State, Women's Track and Field; Cassandra Thomerson, Indiana State, Softball; Lorenza Martinez, Loyola, Women's Golf; Calandra Henry, Missouri State, Women's Track and Field; Mariah Nuss, Northern Iowa, Women's Golf; Matisen Ingle, Southern Illinois, Women's Track and Field; Michelle Pierce, Valparaiso, Women's Track & Field.
 
In order to be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be in good academic standing, must demonstrate good citizenship through good sportsmanship and significant community service, and must participate in a sport, during the season of recognition.  The Valley will recognize 10 student-athletes three times annually (Fall, Winter, Spring), for a total of 30 honorees.  Institutions select their State Farm MVC Good Neighbor Award honorees.