Mid-American Conference

Alyssa Heintschel (Ball State) & John McCarty (Central Michigan) Recipients of the 2018 Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award
Alyssa Heintschel and John McCarty each to receive $5,000 post-graduate scholarship
 
CLEVELAND, OHIO – Alyssa Heintschel (women’s soccer) of Ball State and John McCarty (men’s basketball) of Central Michigan have been named the recipients of the 2018 Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award by the Mid-American Conference Faculty Athletics Representatives as announced by the league office today.
 
In its 30th year, the Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award recognizes one female and one male student who have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.50 and have displayed good character, leadership and citizenship. The students are nominated during the year in which they complete their final season of eligibility. The $5,000 post-graduate scholarship is awarded in honor of Bob James, the second commissioner in Mid-American Conference history (1964-71).
 
Alyssa Heintschel graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ball State University in May of 2018 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both chemistry and premedical preparation, and a minor in biology, with a 4.00 GPA.  Heintschel was named the recipient of Ball State’s Outstanding Senior in Chemistry, Pre-Professional Award, given annually to a graduating senior in Chemistry, and a finalist for the John R. Emens Outstanding Senior Award, given to a graduating senior who exemplifies selflessness and service at Ball State University.
 
Heintschel competed in 54 games during her collegiate career with a record of 35-12-7 and was twice named All-MAC First Team selection and was team captain for two consecutive seasons (2016-17).  Heintschel set the school record for the number of wins (35) by a Ball State goalkeeper, career goals against average (0.77), ranks second in shutouts (22.5), third in saves percentage (80.6%) and career minutes played and fourth in career saves.
 
Heintschel was named First Team Academic All-American by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) in 2017 and CoSIDA Third Team in 2016.  She was one of 29 females to be awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. She was named Senior CLASS First Team selection, by demonstrating excellence in competition, community, classroom and character.
 
Heintschel was a three-time MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete (2015, 2016, 2017) and a three-time Academic All-MAC selection. She was named CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team in 2016 and 2017, and CoSIDA Academic All-District Second Team in 2015, along with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Region Second Team in 2016.
 
Off the field, Heintschel was a member of Ball State’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee from 2015-17 and helped organize volunteer events and share perspective for institutional and Conference level governance policy. She served as a volunteer at Ball Memorial Hospital Emergency Department by working with patients and also served Ball State Athletics as a youth soccer camp volunteer coach.
 
A native of Oregon, Ohio, Heintschel will pursue her dream of becoming a pediatrician by attending Oakland University’s William Beaumont School of Medicine in the fall of 2018. 
 
John McCarty graduated Summa Cum Laude from Central Michigan University in May of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology & Biomedical Sciences, while maintaining a 4.0 cumulative GPA. He made the Dean’s List all eight semesters at Central Michigan.
 
McCarty was a member of the Central Michigan men’s basketball team for four seasons, including two MAC West Division Champions in both 2015 and 2016, and an NIT appearance in 2015 and CIT appearances in 2016 and 2018. 
 
Outside of the classroom and basketball court, McCarty volunteered with Chips in the Classroom, assisting elementary schools with fundraisers, assisted the Mobile Food Pantry, which served individuals of need with food supplies, and mentored first year student-athletes on campus with the chAMP Mentoring Program.
 
McCarty was a Central Michigan University Honors Student and was recognized as a MAC Commissioner’s Award (2015-17), MAC Honor Roll (2015-18) and MAC Presidential Award (2017-18).
 
A native of Clarkston, Mich., McCarty will attend the Yale school of Medicine to begin the Physician Associate Program.
 
 
Additional Female 2018 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Jaclyn Siegfring, Akron (Women’s Track & Field)
McKenzie Wieber, Central Michigan (Women’s Track & Field)
Kendall Valentin, Eastern Michigan (Gymnastics)
Samantha Tolleruk, Kent State (Women’s Track & Field)
Kelly Smith, Northern Illinois (Women’s Basketball)
Elena Patz, Ohio (Women’s Swimming & Diving)
Michaela Rasmussen, Toledo (Women’s Basketball)
 
Additional Male 2018 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Zach Guiser, Akron (Football)
Luke DeVenney, Eastern Michigan (Baseball)
George Bollas, Kent State (Football)
Jackson Abresch, Northern Illinois (Football)
Adam Wise, Ohio (Men’s Cross Country)
 

Past Bob James Award Winners
2018  Alyssa Heintschel, Ball State (Soccer); John McCarty, Central Michigan (Basketball)
2017  Kelsi White, Miami (Field Hockey); Tanner Barton, Ball State (Swimming & Diving)
2016  Julia Lombardi, Eastern Michigan (Soccer); Jordan Italiano, Kent State (Football)
2015  Stephanie Haugh, Kent State (Soccer); Dustin Page, Northern Illinois (Soccer)
2014  Lindsey Butterfield, Bowling Green (Volleyball); Kyle Smith, Central Michigan (Track & Field)
2013  Skylar Chew, Ball State (Soccer); Nabal Jefferson, Northern Illinois (Football)
2012  Kristin Hoffman, Northern Illinois (Volleyball); Briggs Orsbon, Ball State (Football)
2011  Christine Chiricosta, Bowling Green (Tennis); Jon Edgington, Miami (Baseball)
2010  Megan Chronister, Bowling Green (Gymnastics); Tim Hiller, Western Michigan (Football)
2009  Gonzalo Barinaga, Ball State (Football); Jillian Wolosiansky, Eastern Michigan (Volleyball)
2008  Wynn Michalak, Central Michigan (Wrestling); Stephanie Swiger, Bowling Green (Volleyball)
2007  Matt Lefeld, Bowling Green (Basketball); Jody Yednock, Northern Illinois (Gymnastics)
2006  David Mitchell, Miami (Cross Country/Track & Field); Marie Zidek, Northern Illinois (Volleyball)
2005  Burke Badenhop, Bowling Green (Baseball); Robin Davidson, Toledo (Soccer)
2004  Travis Barclay, Ball State (Football); Andrea Kremer, Miami (Track & Field)
2003  Brett Faustman, Central Michigan (Wrestling) and Katrina Kerns, Bowling Green (Track & Field)
2002  Anthony Malik, Bowling Green (Soccer); Kate Miller, Kent State (Basketball)
2001  Nick Iagulli, Miami (Track & Field); Jennifer Jarjosa, Bowling Green (Swimming)
2000  Cato Coleman, Miami (Track & Field); Laura Szczepanski, Ball State (Gymnastics)
1999  Wendy Feldman, Central Michigan (Volleyball); Justin Millard, Akron (Soccer)
1998  Desmond Johnston, Akron (Soccer); Janelle Tranquillo, Ball State (Field Hockey)
1997  Joseph Burch, Bowling Green (Soccer); Sarah Mikrut, Ball State (Gymnastics)
1996  Kristin Gaddis, Bowling Green (Cross Country/Track); Dustin Swinehart, Miami (Soccer)
1995  Dana Drew, Toledo (Basketball); Stephen Fetyko, Eastern Michigan (Swimming)
1994  Bob Dudley, Bowling Green (Football); Kris Parks, Ohio (Cross Country/Track)
1993  Sander Scott, Central Michigan (Basketball); Kelly Weir, Ohio (Basketball)
1992  Jeff Bender, Central Michigan (Football); Julie Young, Western Michigan (Volleyball)
1991  Pat Jackson, Bowling Green (Football); Kristin McDaniel, Kent State (Track & Field)
1990  Linda Popovich, Bowling Green (Volleyball); Danny Rieman, Ball State (Baseball)
1989  Kim Keenan, Kent State (Cross Country/Track); Rick Winegardner, Ball State (Swimming)