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BAY CITY, Mich. — Northwood University senior linebacker Ryan Whittum has been named recipient of the 2012 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Jack H. McAvoy Award as announced by Commissioner Dell Robinson. The award is presented annually to the GLIAC football player who best combines outstanding character and leadership on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
A native of Livonia, Michigan, Whittum earned a 3.69 grade point average (4.0 scale) while majoring in banking/finance, economics, and management. He has been named GLIAC All-Academic Excellence team twice as well as GLIAC All-Academic twice. Whittum has been on the NU President's list three times, the Dean's list every semester and is a member of the National Honor Society. He was one of just two players in the GLIAC to be nominated for the AFCA Good Works Team this past season. Whittum is an active member of the community and volunteers in his spare time at Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, and the Cure for Cancer program, among other charities.
This season, Whittum was a key part of the Timberwolves defense. He recorded 93 tackles (8.45 per game), 7.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception, an interception return for a touchdown and a blocked kick. In his career he played in 43 games, recorded 249 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, two blocked kicks, and had two interception returns for a TD.
"The GLIAC is proud of the accomplishments of Ryan Whittum," stated Commissioner Robinson. "Whittum exemplifies outstanding class and caliber of the student-athletes that we have in the GLIAC. The Jack McAvoy Award provides a platform that allows his accomplishments to be recognized regionally and nationally. The GLIAC is proud to honor Ryan Whittum as our McAvoy Award recipient."
Whittum becomes the second Northwood student-athlete to win the award joining Scott Stuible who earned the award in 2003. Ferris State University has had the most recipients of the award (4), with Michigan Technological University, Saginaw Valley State University, Hillsdale College, Northwood and Wayne State University all have two apiece. The Award is named for former Hillsdale College director of athletics and head football coach, Jack McAvoy, who was instrumental in the founding of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC), now known as the GLIAC.
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Jack H. McAvoy Award Winners |
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| 2012 | Ryan Whittum, Northwood |
| 2011 | Josh Renel, Wayne State |
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2010 |
Phil Doerfler, Hillsdale |
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2009 |
Nick Bellanco, Ashland |
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2008 |
Jake Visser, Ferris State |
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2007 |
Mark Nicolet, Hillsdale |
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2006 |
Mike Klobucher, Ferris State |
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2005 |
Matthew Shem, Northern Michigan |
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2004 |
Neil Baumgartner, Saginaw Valley State |
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2003 |
Josh Sherko, Northern Michigan |
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Scott Stuible, Northwood |
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2002 |
Jason Battershell, Saginaw Valley State |
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2001 |
Chris Volz, Indianapolis |
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2000 |
Alex Kowalski, Michigan Tech |
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1999 |
Mo Harris, Ferris State |
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1998 |
Jeff Fox, Grand Valley State |
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1997 |
Matt Fishburn, Wayne State |
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Eric Tree, Michigan Tech |
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1996 |
Chris Pulliams, Ferris State |
A native of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Renel has earned a 3.63 grade point average (4.0 scale) while majoring in marketing. He has been named to the GLIAC All-Academic football team three times, is a First Team Academic All-American, is a two-time member of the GLIAC Football All-Conference First Team, and a 2011 All-Region performer. A fall 2010 and 2011 GLIAC Commissioner's Award recipient for athletic and academic excellence, Renel is an active member of the community and volunteers in his spare time to Make a Wish Foundation and the United Way Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, among other charities.
This season, Renel helped the Warriors to the NCAA Division II championship game where he began the contest with a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown (only the second time in the Division II NCAA championship contest the opening kickoff was returned for a score). He finished the season ranked 28th nationally in all-purpose yards per game (146.00), 33rd in kickoff return average (25.61), and 55th in rushing yards per game (84.56). Renel led the GLIAC in all-purpose yards (2,336), was second in punt return average (12.8), third in rushing yards (1,353), and fourth in both rushing touchdowns (14) and kickoff return average (25.8).
"Josh personifies the true meaning of the term student-athlete," stated Commissioner Robinson. "He provides an outstanding platform for the McAvoy Award highlighting the type of student-athlete we have our conference. He will be a future leader in his field of study as well as his community."
Renel becomes the second Wayne State student-athlete to win the award joining Matt Fishburn who earned the award in 1997. Ferris State University has had the most recipients of the award (4), with Michigan Technological University, Saginaw Valley State University, Hillsdale College and Wayne State all have two apiece. The Award is named for former Hillsdale College director of athletics and head football coach, Jack McAvoy, who was instrumental in the founding of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC), now known as the GLIAC.