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BAY CITY, Mich. — The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announces the recipients of the Fall 2012 Meijer Commissioner’s Awards. The awards, sponsored by Meijer, Incorporated, are presented after the Fall, Winter, and Spring athletic seasons to six female and six male student-athletes that excel both in the classroom and on the fields of play. All grade point averages are based on a 4.0 scale.
The six female student-athletes to receive the Fall 2012 Meijer Commissioner’s Awards are: Brittany Snider of Ashland University; Samantha Fordyce and Anne Sutton of Ferris State University; Melanie Hoffman of Michigan Technological University; Shara Perry of Ohio Dominican University, and Lauren Hill of Saginaw Valley State University.
The six male student-athletes to receive the Fall 2012 Meijer Commissioner’s Awards are: Donnie Dottei of Ashland University; Ryan Chute of Ferris State University; Tyler White of Ohio Dominican University; Zach Myers of Saginaw Valley State University; and Mickey Mohner and Nick Thomas of Wayne State University.
“It is with great pleasure that I offer congratulations on behalf of the GLIAC to our 12 award winners,” stated GLIAC Commissioner Dell Robinson. “The accomplishments of the 12 student-athletes is a shining example of the future leaders and individuals who serve as change agents on our campuses. I would like thank Meijer for their continued support that allows the GLIAC to honor our top student-athletes.”
The following are biographies of the Fall 2012 GLIAC Commissioner’s Awards recipients:
Ashland University senior volleyball player Brittany Snider (Olmsted Falls, Ohio) claimed All-GLIAC First Team honors in the 2012 season. She was named to the second-team All-GLIAC selection and the 2009 GLIAC “Freshman of the Year.” Snider was named to the All-GLIAC Academic Excellence Team in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, Snider was 15th in the conference in kills per set (2.59). In 2010, Snider was second in the country in kills per set (5.11). She had 429 kills that season and she had 11 matches with 20 or more kills and reached double-digit kill totals in 22 of 24 matches. The senior led AU to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 2007. AU reached the semifinals of the GLIAC Tournament. Snider is a biology major with a 3.59 grade point average.
Ferris State University senior volleyball player Samantha Fordyce (DeWitt, Mich.) was a two-time recipient of the DII Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award. The 2012 AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region honoree helped the Bulldogs advance to the NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four seasons and a second-straight berth in the regional semifinals. Fordyce started all 122 of her matches at the collegiate level. She posted season assist totals that ranked among the program’s top 15 single-season efforts during each of her four campaigns. A Daktronics All-Region selection in 2012 and a two-time all GLIAC First Team pick. Fordyce has a 3.57 grade point as a optometry major and has been named to the FSU Dean’s List.
Anne Sutton (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview), a senior volleyball player at Ferris State University was an AVCA Division II Honorable Mention All-American in 2012. Sutton was ranked among the GLIAC leaders in blocks, kills, and was the overall attack percentage leader this season. She’s ranked among the nation’s top 10 players with a .388 attack percentage. She helped the bulldogs to their third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four seasons and a second-straight berth in the regional semifinals. A two-time GLIAC All-Academic Team selection, Sutton totaled 10 or more kills in 20 matches this campaign. Additionally, she received the President’s Academic Award for holding the team’s highest grade point average. Working toward a Masters in Business Administration, Sutton has earned a 3.85 grade point average.
Michigan Technological University senior defender Melanie Hoffman (Green Bay, Wis. /Pulaski) has earned the GLIAC Commissioner’s Award twice in her career (Fall 2011). The Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-District and All-GLIAC Honorable Mention selection helped lead the Huskies to a share of the GLIAC Women’s Soccer title in 2012. Hoffman was also a Capital One Academic All-District Second Team honoree in track and field in 2010 and holds the school record in the heptathlon. Hoffman has maintained a 4.0 grade point average majoring in exercise science.
Ohio Dominican University senior defender Shara Perry (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) was the ODU women’s soccer team top defender in 2012, Perry and her team posted 11 shutouts this season and only allowed 14 goals and 95 shots in 18 games. She is a Second Team All-GLIAC selection as well as a Second Team All-American and Academic All-District honoree. Perry posted a 3.96 grade point average in biology/exercise science.
Saginaw Valley State University senior Lauren Hill (Flat Rock, Mich. /Flat Rock) earned All-American honors in the final cross country race of her SVSU career. As the senior team captain, Hill helped SVSU to a 2nd place finish overall at the NCAA Midwest Regional as well as a trip to the Championships for the second straight season. Earning All-Region accolades as well as Cross Country All-American honors, she placed 19th overall at the 2012 NCAA Division II Championships. Hill has an overall grade point average of 3.85 and is majoring in exercise science and psychology.
Ashland University senior defensive back Donnie Dottei (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer) was a two-time All-GLIAC Academic Excellence Team recipient. In 2011, he led the Eagles in interceptions (five) and was ninth on the team in tackles (40/25 solo). In 2010 he played in 11 games and had 28 tackles (16 solo). Dottei was named AU’s Outstanding Mathematics Student as a sophomore and as a junior. He is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and has been inducted into the Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society. He is currently the president of Pi Mu Epsilon. Dottei is a member of AU’s Ashbrook Scholar program for political science. Dottei is majoring in integrated mathematics/actuary science holding a 3.74 grade point average.
Ryan Chute (Waterford, Mich. /Mott) a senior from Ferris State University helped lead his team to its first Division II National Championship appearance in Cross Country since 1985. He placed 19th overall in the Division II Midwest Regional Championships to earn All-Region accolades and help FSU to a D-II National Championship berth.Chute helped lead his team to a 13th place finish at the NCAA Division II Championships. He would finish as FSU’s number three runner at the Championship. A GLIAC All-Academic Team honoree, Chute is currently holding a 3.78 grade point average and majoring in pharmacy PD.
Ohio Dominican University senior left tackle Tyler White (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) was a nominee for the Upshaw Award as the nation’s best lineman. A 2012 First Team All-GLIAC recipient helped his defense to only allow six sacks in a single season, ranking fifth nationally. In 2011 he was a First Team AllOhioCollege.com selection. White was part of a record breaking offense in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns (34), yards per carry (5.5) and yards per play (6.8). He earned GLIAC All-Academic honors all three seasons and is a member of the ODU’s President Society. White has maintained a 3.6 grade point average and majoring in business administration.
Saginaw Valley State University senior forward Zach Myers (Grand Rapids, Mich. /Forest Hills Easter), the 2012 GLIAC Men’s Soccer “Offensive Player of the Year,” led SVSU with 17 goals and two assists on the season. Myers helped lead the Cardinals to their first ever NCAA Division II Championship game in school history. The 2012 NSCAA National “Player of the Year” was the first player in conference history to win both “Offensive Player of the Year” (2012) and “Defensive Player of the Year” (2011). The management major with a 3.65 grade point average was recently named to the 2012 Capital One Academic All American First Team. Myers led SVSU men’s soccer to a school record of 18 wins in one season.
Mickey Mohner (Painesville, Ohio/Harvey), a senior quarterback from Wayne State University was a four-time Academic All-GLIAC selection. He has three of the top four passing efficiency season ratings in school history and is the career leader in attempts (961), completions (537), passing yards (7,287), passing touchdowns (55), passing efficiency rating (131.2), average yards per pass attempt (7.6), total offense (7,186) and total offense per play (6.60). Mohner was named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll five times as well as the Coach’s Honor Roll twice. In 2011 he set WSU record for most passing yards in a season (2,799), passing TDs (25), passing efficiency rating (144.2), average yards per pass attempt (8.4), total offense (2,779) and total offense per play (7.49) while leading the Warriors to the national championship game. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in May 2012 and is currently enrolled in the master’s program at Wayne State University and maintains a 3.83 grade point average.
Wayne State University senior middle linebacker Nick Thomas (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St.Mary) is a two-time Second Team All-GLIAC honoree. Thomas played in 37 games, making 26 starts at middle linebacker for the green and gold. He finished with 267 career tackles (133-134) including 28.5 tackles for loss, recorded nine sacks, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and three pass break-ups. The four-time Academic All-GLIAC recipient was named to the Athletic Directors Honor Roll all eight semesters. Thomas graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance honors in May of 2012 and is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration posting a 3.65 grade point average.
