Sept. 30, 2009

www.SIUSalukis.com

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Jason Ordway of Southern Illinois University has been selected the Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced Wednesday. Ordway was honored for his performance during the period of September 21-27.

Now in its 11th year of existence, The Valley's Scholar-Athlete program is sponsored by Prairie Farms, Roberts and Hiland Dairies. On a weekly basis, the Conference honors its student-athletes for their athletic performance for a one-week period and academic success in the classroom.

"Our continued corporate partnership with Prairie Farms provides an important vehicle by which to honor our top student-athletes," said Commissioner Elgin, who is in his 22nd year with The Valley. "Our student-athletes are the league's best representatives, and we're happy to recognize Cara (Hackmann) and Jason (Ordway) for their athletic and academic achievements."

A member of the Southern Illinois men's cross country team, Ordway, a senior from Holgate, Ohio, took the individual championship at the Saluki Invitational in Carbondale, Ill., on Saturday, September 26.

While leading the Salukis to their second-straight meet title, Ordway, who has a 3.87 cumulative grade-point average in physiology, finished the 8K course in a time of 26:25.2 in his first race of the 2009 season.

To qualify for Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.