John Haseman, Elissa Pheneger named 2017 UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award winners
ST. PAUL, Minn.---Among a field of 18 talented and dedicated Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) senior student-athletes recognized as finalists for the 2017 Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award, two individuals have set themselves apart from the rest through consistent success on and off the field of competition.
John Haseman of the University of Minnesota Morris and Elissa Pheneger of North Central University have been selected as the winners of the 2017 UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award, the conference office announced Wednesday.
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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 honor is awarded annually to one male and one female graduating senior from UMAC member-institutions.
Haseman and Pheneger emerged from a group of finalists that demonstrates a healthy balance by achieving excellence in academics, leadership, and service while participating in intercollegiate athletics. Finalists for each institution were nominated by and winners were selected by the UMAC Faculty Athletics Representatives (FAR).
"The UMAC is thrilled to recognize John and Elissa as our 2017 UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award honorees," UMAC Commissioner Corey Borchardt said. "These student-athletes have achieved remarkable accomplishments in athletics, academics, and campus and community pursuits. Further, John and Elissa have both demonstrated strong leadership capability and dedication to serving others in numerous ways. They exemplify the NCAA Division III philosophy and UMAC core values as they both serve as great representatives of the type of student-athletes that the UMAC is honored to have competing."
John Haseman, University of Minnesota Morris
Throughout his four years as a student-athlete at Minnesota Morris, Haseman has distinguished himself as leader and high-achiever in multiple areas of campus life. As a four-year member and two-year captain of the Cougar basketball team, Haseman has led by example and dedicated his time toward helping underclass players find their own success.
“As I learned going up what were the struggles I had and what were the different things I had to learn from, I think it made me want to help the ones going through the same things below me, " said Haseman, "as I see them going through their freshman and sophomore years learning the ropes."
Minnesota Morris FAR Dr. Tracey Anderson said Haseman is well-respected by his peers, coaches and faculty for his leadership on and off the basketball court. "While not occupying a line on his resume, his leadership in classroom settings is widely recognized by his instructors," Dr. Anderson said. "Leading by example is something that is not often touted, but certainly something that John does everyday."
As a contributing member of the Minnesota Morris men's basketball team, Haseman helped the Cougars make four UMAC postseason appearances during his time in uniform. During his sophomore campaign, the Cougars finished second in league and made it to the conference title game. As a senior, Haseman started all 27 games for the Cougars and avearged 10.7 points per game (ppg).
Haseman has been nearly perfect in the classroom boasting a 3.967 grade point average (GPA) while majoring in biochemistry. Throughout his four years, Haseman has been named to the dean's list every semester and has earned Academic All-UMAC honors in each year eligible. He is a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society. For three years Haseman has participated in undergraduate research on algae-based alternative energy with University of Minnesota faculty. Additionally, he has been a pre-health club dental representative and member of the American Chemical Society.
Outside of the classroom, Haseman has been involved in numerous clubs and volunteer service activities. He has been a member of the Cougar Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and has helped lead the table committee and participated in the polar plunge for Special Olympics. As an athlete, Haseman participates in on-going tutoring in elementary schools through Cougar Connection. Through the basketball team, Haseman has helped with a pancake feed to benefit victims of domestic violence, an outreach elementary school basketball program and Feed My Starving Children. He also serves as a math tutor and volunteers at Stevens County Hospital.
For Haseman, the ability to balance a rigorous academic and athletic schedule as well as additional commitments has come from a lot of intentional planning and a little help from friends. "It wouldn't have been possible without the different friends I've made and the friends in my classes," said Haseman. "Between a very tedious schedule and working with my friends, that's how I've managed to balance everything."
Following graduation, Haseman will attend the University of Minnesota for dentistry beginning in the fall of 2017. He plans to pursue a career in dentistry.
Elissa Pheneger, North Central University
During her four years as a student-athlete at North Central, Pheneger has embodied what it means to be a Division III student-athlete exhibiting a balance of both academic and athletic experiences, while also immersing herself in campus life and finding ways to serve others. Her success can only be defined as a deserving outcome of her strong work ethic and desire to lead.
“She leads with a quiet, strong, unifying demeanor and presence," said North Central FAR Greg Hayton, "and it has been demonstrated frequently throughout our campus, the greater community, in several educational societies, service organizations and abroad."
Stephanie Schmidt, who coached the North Central volleyball team during Pheneger's time, said Pheneger has been an invaluable member of the Rams' program and athletics department because of her ability to step outside of her comfort zone. "Elissa has been one of those student-athletes that comes along once in a great while," said Schmidt. "She repeatedly pushes herself outside of her comfort zone in an effort to remain excellent in every area of her life...She is the 'poster child' for our athletic department."
On the court, Pheneger has set the bar for success in the Rams' volleyball program. A four-year contributor and two-year captain, Pheneger helped lead an impressive turnaround for the volleyball program which saw the team improve from five wins in 2013 to back-to-back 12-win seasons in both 2015 and 2016. During her time, Pheneger has twice earned All-UMAC Honorable Mention honors and finished her senior season with 7.45 assists per set. She also set a school record for career assists with 2,914.
Pheneger is an elementary education major with minors in Spanish and biblical studies. The senior boasts a 3.90 GPA and has been named to the dean's list every semester during her time at North Central. She also has four Academic All-UMAC accolades and has been the recipient of two of the institutions top honors scholarships. Additionally, she has served as the treasurer of the NCU Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society. Pheneger is also a certified College Reading and Learning Association teacher, member of the Association of American Educators and Spanish teaching assistant.
Perhaps Pheneger's greatest area of contribution lies outside of her impact on the court or in the classroom. She has excelled in various leadership roles, but none speaks more profoundly than her involvement with SAAC at the campus, conference and national level as she represents both the UMAC and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) on the NCAA Division III National SAAC. Her extensive list of additional leadership includes attending multiple mission trips to both Costa Rica and Nicaragua, volunteering at different churches, tutoring on campus and at elementary schools, and leading and organizing campus service opportunities. For 2015-16, Pheneger received the NCU student-athlete distinguished leadership and service award.
Allison Meadows, who serves as North Central's Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) and SAAC adviser, said, "Elissa's work ethic on and off the court is astounding. She will outwork you in the gym and in the classroom. She truly represents what is great with Division III, discovering the roles of leadership, developing as a professional and dedicating herself to her school, her team and her community."
Pheneger is currently completing her student teaching experience in the Dominican Republic and will continue to serve as on NCAA Division III SAAC through the end of the 2017-18 academic year. She plans to pursue a career in teaching following graduation.
Haseman and Pheneger will receive a commemorative plaque with their name engraved on it. Together, they become the 10th group to win the UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award since its inception in 2008.
Past UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award winners:
2016 – Louis Corcoran (Northland College), Annaliese Schroeder (North Central University)
2015 – Sutton Rehwalt (North Central University), Olivia Krejcarek (College of St. Scholastica)
2014 – Brendan Foss (University of Minnesota Morris), Krista Stoltz (University of Northwestern), Abby Fragodt (University of Minnesota Morris)
2013 – Brett Tester (College of St. Scholastica), Kali Cordes (University of Minnesota Morris)
2012 – Brady Giffith (Crown College), Joelle Pipal (Bethany Lutheran College)
2011 – Toby Peter (College of St. Scholastica), April Cook (Martin Luther College)
2010 – Nick Olson (Northwestern College), Maddy Gerber (University of Minnesota Morris)
2009 – Zach Marshall (Northwestern College), Eva Voss (Bethany Lutheran College)
2008 – Nathan Nass (Martin Luther College), Christopher Rubesch (College of St. Scholastica), Kristin Scislow (Bethany Lutheran College)