Indianapolis, Ind. –For the first time in SBU history, two Bearcat athletes were picked as GLVC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Lainy Williams was the women's track and field recipient, and Quinn Nelson was the men's basketball recipient. The conference office announced all winter and spring Scholar Athletes Friday afternoon. This award is based upon athletic accomplishments, both team and individual, and academic performance. The voting for the award is completed by each member institution's Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR).

Williams wins SBU's first ever track and field scholar athlete award after a breakout season for the Bearcats on the track being the sole Bearcat to qualify for both indoor and outdoor National Championships. As well, she earned the GLVC indoor women's track and field athlete of the year after a 1^st place finish in the mile and 3^rd in 800-meter at conference championship. She continued her dominance in outdoor winning the 800-meter run and helping the team win the 4x400-meter relay.

While her accomplishments as an athlete were impressive but she put the student first in student-athlete. Williams finished the 2022-23 school year with a perfect 4.0 GPA, which earned her the GLVC Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar Award. She also earned USTFCCCA Academic All-American award for cross country, indoor & outdoor track and field.

"I am honored to receive the GLVC Scholar Athlete of the Year for track and field. Running is very important to me, but so are my grades." Williams said, "This award is an honor to receive since it takes not only success on the track, but also success in the classroom to get the award. I owe a big thank you to my coaches, professors, family, teammates, and friends that have pushed me to be the best I can be on the track and in the classroom! I would not be receiving this award without all of their support throughout college!"

Nelson wins SBU's first ever men's basketball scholar athlete award after being a consistent force for the Bearcats on the court. He was the team's leading scorer averaging 14.3 points per contest while shooting 47.5% from the field and 41.5% from beyond the arc. For the second straight year he was a unanimous GLVC All-1^st team selection. He will go down as one the All-time greats in SBU history holding career records in points scored, 3-pt field goals made, free throw percentage, games played, games started, and minutes played.

Nelson exemplified what it means to be a Bearcat student-athlete finishing his entire career with a 3.8 GPA. Last spring, he graduated with a degree in sports management and is finishing his final class of the master's in business administration program with 4.0 GPA. This year he earned the GLVC Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholars Award and the Council of President's award, the highest honor you can earn as part of the GLVC.

"This award wouldn't have been possible without my coaches, teammates, professors, and classmates." Nelson said, "This is as much an award for them as it is for me, I've been truly blessed."