NAIA names Judson's Corey Burke as recipient of A.O. Duer Award
(Elgin, IL June 3, 2011) The Judson University athletic department has been awarded another NAIA national award this year as junior Corey Burke has been named the A.O. Duer award winner. This award is awarded to the top junior in the NAIA that who has excelled in character, playing ability and scholarship.
Burke was the second leading scorer for his team this past year and was named All-CCAC. The pre-med major carries a 3.9 GPA and is a NAIA and NCCAA scholar-athlete. In the last two years he has helped Judson to a CCAC regular season championship, a NCCAA National Championship, and two NCCAA National Tournaments. He is the son of Judson's head coach, Steve Burke, who is also the all-time wins leader for the NAIA.
This is the third major award that the Judson University Athletic Department has received this year. In January, women's cross country and track & field athlete Stephanie Belokon was chosen to be one of 10 athletes to participate in the NAIA/Red Cross Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. Then, in May, Caleb Sutton received the NCCAAA's highest award for track & field in the Wheeler award for academics and service.
Excerpts from NAIA Release:
"The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has selected Corey Burke of Judson (Ill.) University and Danielle Bellet of Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University to receive the prestigious A.O. Duer Award. The award was established in 1967, to recognize a junior male and female student-athlete who has excelled in character, playing ability and scholarship. The award is named after former NAIA executive director Al Duer who constantly sought to promote an integration of education and sport in the NAIA, reflecting an ideal balance between work, play, mind, body and spirit.
“Danielle and Corey illustrate what is possible when one truly commits to academic and athletic excellence. These student-athletes embody the NAIA spirit and are wonderful representatives of the 60,000 young men and women competing under the NAIA banner,” said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. “Danielle and Corey are exemplary models of scholar, athlete and citizen and we are delighted to recognize them with the A.O. Duer Award.”
"Burke and Bellet were selected by the NAIA Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives from a field of nominees that attend NAIA member institutions. Candidates must achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale. Daktronics will present Dakota Wesleyan and Judson a $1,000 scholarship in the name of each winner.
"Corey Burke is a men's soccer player at Judson and the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference's nominee. When it comes to excellence in academics, athletics and community service Burke is in a class by himself. As a starting central midfielder, Burke was the second leading scorer on a very successful team that was consistently in the NAIA top 25 and finished the season 19-4-1. Recognized as a great competitor Burke is respected by his teammates and others on campus.
“Corey has been an ideal student at Judson both on and off the field. What you see is what you get with Corey as he is a genuine person,” said Judson President Dr. Jerry Cain. “Corey's role for the men's soccer team has grown the last two years as he has stepped into more of a leadership role on the field and in the classroom. His character is impeccable and makes Judson proud.”
"A Biology major Burke holds a 3.9 grade point average and is studying for the MCAT this summer. He currently is taking four labs and volunteers at Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Ill. Outside of his responsibilities at Judson, Burke has traveled near and far to host soccer camps and tutor students. Most recently he traveled to Kenya to volunteer in a medical clinic. He has used athletics as a vehicle to build great relationships, meaningful life challenges, exciting academic opportunities and a great understanding of how he can serve others more effectively.
"Both Burke and Bellet represent the ideals of the NAIA scholar-athlete as evidenced by their scholarship, character, citizenship and athletic ability."