CLEVELAND, Ohio – Western Michigan’s Amanda Gruber (gymnastics) and Ball State’s Noah Berryman (swimming & diving) have been named the recipients of the 2024 Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award by the Mid-American Conference Faculty Athletics Representatives as announced by the league office today.
In its 36th 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).
Gruber is a two-time MAC title winner on beam and helped the Broncos to a MAC Tournament Championship in 2024 and MAC Regular Season Championships in 2020 and 2023. Gruber is a three-time Academic All-MAC selection, a three-time WGCA Scholastic All-American and was a CSC Academic All-District selection in 2024. She is tied for the school record on beam with a score of 9.950, set back in 2022 against Michigan State. She also helped WMU to its highest point total ever in the NCAA Tournament in 2023.
"Amanda truly represents the best of our student-athlete culture at Western Michigan," said Western Michigan Vice President / Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae. "As a multiple time Academic All American, MAC Champion and NCAA qualifier, she leaves behind and unmatched legacy that we all take such pride in. We are thrilled she has been recognized for this prestigious award and can’t wait to watch her shine."
As a swimmer, Berryman specialized in the breaststroke, serving as a mainstay in both individual and medley events and earning recognition for his leadership, character, and mental attitude. University-wide, he was named to the Top 25 Student list. At the athletic conference level, he received the MAC's highest honor, the Medal of Excellence in 2023, in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in academics, athletics, leadership, and service. He was a four-time member of the Academic All-MAC Team, and named in May as a member of the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.
"Ball State University is better because Noah Berryman chose to be a student-athlete for the Cardinals," said Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "Noah's commitment to leadership, devotion to service, and desire for development in and out of the pool have prepared him to be successful post college. We are proud of his numerous athletic, academic, and service accomplishments, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition of his talents."
Additional Female 2024 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Rachel Sabotin, Akron, Swimming & Diving
Jane Marie Plitt, Ball State, Volleyball
Rayah Blood, Bowling Green, Swimming & Diving
Sandra Edwards, Central Michigan, Lacrosse
Kyndall Gilbert, Kent State, Gymnastics
Karli Spaid, Miami, Softball
Emily Romancew, Northern Illinois, Golf
Additional Male 2024 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Logan Bell, Bowling Green, Baseball
Quintin Cooks, Kent State, Track & Field
Past Bob James Award Winners
2024: Amanda Gruber, Western Michigan (gymnastics); Noah Berryman, Ball State (swimming & diving)
2023: Taylor Jensen, Bowling Green (gymnastics); Bryce Houston, Ohio (football)
2022: Kathryn Haver, Bowling Green (swim and dive); Mason Kauffman, Northern Illinois (wrestling)
2021 Nikki Sorgi, Bowling Green (softball); Chris Adams, Ball State (tennis)
2020 Maria Cegledy, Kent State (softball); Timothy Rooney, Kent State (wrestling)
2019 Julia Beyer, Bowling Green (Gymnastics); Paul Garbarino, Bowling Green (Cross Country)
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)
