River States Conference

STLCOP's David Baker is KIAC Nominee for NAIA Dr. Leroy Walker Award

3/29/2012 12:00:00 AM

Fifth-year pharmacy student and All-American track recipient David Baker was selected by the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) as the conference nominee for the NAIA Dr. Leroy Walker Champions of Character Award early this month. The award is based on the NAIA Champions of Character program and its five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership, and honors Dr. Walker, president emeritus of the United States Olympic Committee and former NAIA president.

Baker, who in 2011 became STLCOP's first-ever All-American, earned the conference selection for his outstanding academic and athletic achievement along with campus and community leadership, embracing the five core character values, and future ambition.

Athletic Director Jill Harter believes Baker exemplifies the Champions of Character values. "The list of David's honors is long and demonstrates his achievement as a cross country and track runner, excellence in the classroom, and service on campus and in the community," Harter said. "However, what that list cannot convey is the quiet and humble demeanor with which David goes about his business and incorporates the Champions of Character values into his everyday life."

Baker's list of accomplishments during his college career is lengthy. In addition to his two-time All-American status, he has earned five NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for cross country and track, has been a mainstay on the STLCOP Dean's list, has made numerous appearances at the national cross country championships, has won several conference champion titles, and holds several STLCOP records in both cross country and track and field. Baker also volunteers his time as a student pharmacist assisting with programs for asthmatic youths and ailing seniors and works as a tutor to assist fellow pharmacy students.

"He cares and nurtures his teammates' development and understands that success can be achieved in more than just one's time," head cross country and track coach David Baker (no relation) said of Baker. "No one works as hard as David does, but because of him many have worked harder than they believed they could."

Fellow fifth-year student pharmacist and athlete Silvio Flaim echoes Coach Baker's remarks about Baker, calling him a "natural leader" and finding himself "inadvertently looking towards David for ways to succeed." "Thanks to David," Flaim said, "I have grown both as an individual and a student-athlete by trying to emulate many of his qualities."