Brescia's Reels earns RSC Bill Melton Champion of Character Award 2017-18
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio -- Brescia (Ky.) University senior volleyball player Courtney Reels has been chosen as the female recipient of the 2017-18 River States Conference Bill Melton Champion of Character Award. Reels, a senior from Bowling Green, Ky., and South Warren High School, finished up her career at Brescia this past year.
The RSC Bill Melton Champion of Character Award annually selects one male and one female student-athlete in the conference who is recognized for excellence in academics, athletics and the embodiment of the NAIA Champions of Character values.
The award is modelled after the NAIA's Dr. Leroy Walker Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the national association. It is named for former RSC (then called KIAC) Commissioner Bill Melton, and it promotes and recognizes the core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Servant Leadership and Sportsmanship.
Nominated by their institution, candidates must be at least a junior with a 3.0+ GPA. Other considerations for the award are campus and community leadership, embracing the five core values and athletic achievement. The award was established in 2015-16.
Reels was a four-year member of the Brescia volleyball team, and she was elected team captain during her senior season. She carried a 3.80 grade-point average majoring in speech pathology and as a member of the Brescia Honors College. Reels was a multi-year NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athlete and RSC Scholar Team member.
Community service by Reels included organizing a project with Girls, Inc., from Owensboro, Ky., which brought 30 girls to campus to discuss their college ambitions with faculty and staff and play some volleyball with team members. She was also a Humane Society volunteer and a Women's Oasis shelter volunteer.
Reels was active on the Brescia campus as a four-year member and two-year president of the school's National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. She was also a student ambassador, peer mentor, tutor and was given multiple leadership awards from the school.
On the court, she helped the Bearcats to their best record with a 22-14 overall and 13-3 RSC for second place in the RSC West Division. A defensive specialist, Reels racked up 195 digs, 26 service aces and 284 service attempts.
RIVER STATES CONFERENCE BILL MELTON CHAMPION OF CHARACTER AWARD WINNERS
2015-16 -- Sarah Bonar (Rio Grande), Women's Basketball
2016-17 -- Kaitlyn Smith (Point Park), Women's Basketball
2017-18 -- Courtney Reels (Brescia), Volleyball