CLEVELAND, OHIO – Bowling Green’s Taylor Jensen (gymnastics) and Ohio's Bryce Houston (football) have been named the recipients of the 2023 Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award by the Mid-American Conference Faculty Athletics Representatives as announced by the league office today.
In its 35th 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).
Jensen punctuated her time on at BGSU by winning the 2023 Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship, the first of her career, on beam with a personal-record score of 9.900. Jensen also finished second on vault to earn All-MAC Tournament distinction. In addition to her athletic achievements, Jensen has been named to the College Sports Communicators' Academic All-District® Team, and received Academic All-MAC Team honors on three occasions in addition to multiple WCGA (Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association) Scholastic All-America nods. Most recently, Jensen was bestowed the Chi Alpha Sigma Nick Mourouzis Postgraduate Scholarship by the National College Athlete Honor Society. Jensen is set to use her postgraduate scholarship at Georgia Tech in pursuit of a master's degree in architecture with a concentration in high-performance building systems.
“On behalf of Bowling Green State University, I want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Taylor Jensen for being awarded one of the most prestigious individual honors presented by the Mid-American Conference," said Bowling Green Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe. "Taylor maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA during her time at BGSU and achieved a MAC championship on the balance beam this past spring. With the MAC's presentation of the Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award to her, Taylor firmly establishes her name among the many outstanding Falcons who have previously received this honor. Taylor exemplifies the qualities that we aspire for in our student-athletes, and we wholeheartedly wish her the very best as she utilizes her scholarship award at Georgia Tech, where beginning this fall she is pursuing a graduate degree in architecture.”
Houston graduated with an undergraduate degree in finance with a 3.50 GPA. This season, Houston started all 14 games for the Bobcats, recording 76 tackles, 40 of which were solo, with 11 tackles for loss. He led the team with 5.5 sacks and had two fumble recoveries, highlighted by a 42-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown to extend Ohio's lead over Fordham (Sept. 24). Houston was a 2022 Team captain and was named Academic All-MAC. Throughout his career, Houston has been named to the All-MAC Third Team and has been an Academic All-MAC selection a total of three times.
“Bryce is a remarkable leader, student-athlete and person both on and off the field," said Ohio Director of Athletics Julie Cromer. "He epitomizes the spirit of the Bob James Award and is a great representative for the Bobcats.”
Additional Female 2023 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Alexis Kiefer, University of Akron (Lacrosse)
Gina Caravaglia, Ball State University (Field Hockey)
Taylor Jensen, Bowling Green State University (Gymnastics)
Kelsey Alexander, Central Michigan University (Softball)
Lindsey Thall, Kent State University (Basketball)
Kelly Walinski, Northern Illinois University (Softball)
Katelyn Whittle, Ohio University (Field Hockey)
Anna Dixon, University of Toledo (Softball)
Additional Male 2023 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Kalen Nichols, Bowling Green State University (Soccer)
Jacob Baldino, Kent State University (Baseball)
Bryce Houston, Ohio University (Football)
Past Bob James Award Winners
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)
