Scislow, Nass, Rubesch selected as UMAC's first Scholar-Athletes
ST. PAUL (Apr. 16, 2008) – As the 2007-08 academic year is coming to a close, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) has instituted the Scholar-Athlete award, which is generally given to one male and one female from a UMAC member-institution. UMAC Scholar-Athletes are graduating seniors who demonstrate a healthy balance by achieving excellence in academics, leadership, and service, while participating in intercollegiate athletics. The first class of UMAC Scholar-Athletes includes Kristin Scislow from Bethany Lutheran College, Nathan Nass from Martin Luther College and Christopher Rubesch from the College of St. Scholastica.
The NCAA Division III athlete is unique among intercollegiate athletes because, at Division III institutions, student-athletes receive no financial aid for athletic participation. These institutions emphasize the overall quality of the educational experience and successful completion of the student’s academic program; athletic participation is an important part of that educational experience. The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete Award is presented to students who embody what it means to be an NCAA Division III athlete. Through this award the UMAC recognizes the role athletics plays in developing leaders by rewarding athletes' excellence in the classroom as well as service to the community. The league’s Faculty Athletic Representatives (FAR) nominate and vote on this honor.
Scislow is a three-year soccer player who is majoring in Biology at Bethany Lutheran. A Dean’s list recipient in every semester of her college career, she is a two-time UMAC Academic All-Conference athlete who currently boasts a 3.99 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Scislow is the head coach of the Prior Lake U-17 girl’s soccer team and has taught Sunday school for the past four years.
“Kristin is giving, compassionate and joyful in all she does,” said Matt Kuster, Bethany Lutheran’s Faculty Athletic Representative. “She truly embodies everything a student-athlete strives to be.”
Nass is a four-year basketball player who will graduate this May with a degree in Pastoral Studies from Martin Luther College. Nass, who was a National Merit Scholar out of high school, received UMAC Academic All-Conference honors all three years he was eligible for the award. On the basketball court, the senior was selected for UMAC All-Conference accolades in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Nass is just as well known off the court, as he has contributed to spring and summer volunteer projects in New Orleans, Phoenix, Denver, Billings, Mont. and Panama City, Fla. He also is the volunteer track coach at St. Paul’s Lutheran Elementary School.
Brian Dose, Martin Luther’s FAR, notes that Nass has excelled through a rigorous academic program that includes eight semesters of Greek and four semesters of Hebrew.
Rubesch is a four year athlete, having participated in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field and Nordic skiing during his time at the College of St. Scholastica. A member of five UMAC Academic All-Conference teams, Chris will graduate with a degree in Humanities from St. Scholastica. He has been active both on and off campus in addition to his athletic career, which is evidenced by his memberships in groups such as the Center for Just Living, Earth Action and the Student Campaign for Child Survival, of which is the national president. On campus, Rubesch has been a student senator since 2005 and is a member of St. Scholastica’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
Steve Pfingsten, a faculty member and the Saints’ cross country coach, says “Chris has a passion for those who are disenfranchised in the world as well as for peace and justice issues.” Pfingsten continued, “His commitment to what is right and just is exceptional, and I highly admire and respect him for that.”
Dr. Marie Miller, who chairs the conference’s FAR committee, noted “We are very pleased with this year’s nominees. The caliber of these individuals was exceptionally high. This is an excellent start to what we consider to be a significant recognition in the UMAC.”
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The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference is comprised of eight academically rigorous institutions located in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Originally formed in 1972 as the Twin Rivers Conference, the league was renamed in the early 1980’s. Currently, the UMAC is in process of becoming a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III conference, with full league membership expected for the 2008-2009 academic year as schools complete their own provisional membership process. Several UMAC institutions already hold NCAA Division III status as independents. The UMAC recognizes conference championships in 18 sports.
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