CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR June 16, 2009
Jed Christian Receives MIAA's Albert H. Deal Scholar-Athlete Award
(release prepared by MIAA publicist Greg Chandler)
ROYAL OAK - Awards by the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association to the
outstanding senior athletes from its member schools during the 2008-09 academic
year have been announced by Commissioner David Neilson.
Jed Christiansen of Calvin College has received the Albert H. Deal
Scholar-Athlete Award, while Nora Kuiper of Hope College has been presented the
Sheila Wallace Kovalchik Scholar-Athlete Award.
“Jed and Nora have had marvelous careers these last four years in the
classroom, on the track, and as role models in our conference. They will be
missed, but their selection for these awards from such an exceptional group of
nominees is an achievement for which they should take great pride,”
commissioner Neilson said.
The awards recognize senior class athletes who have excelled in academics and
athletics, as well as displayed outstanding leadership qualities. The awards
honor two former MIAA commissioners, Albert Deal (1971-91) and Sheila Wallace
Kovalchik (1991-2002).
Christiansen is the third individual from Calvin to receive the Albert H. Deal
Scholar-Athlete Award as Tim Avery received the award in 2004 and Peter
Boumgarden in 2005.
Jed Christiansen Bio
A resident of New Ipswich, N.H., and graduate of Greenville (Pa.) High School.
Christiansen was an eight-time All-MIAA selection during his career at Calvin,
earning all-conference honors in both cross country and track and field all
four years.
In cross country, Christiansen helped the Knights to four consecutive MIAA
championships, earning Most Valuable Runner honors in his senior year. He also
earned All-American honors all four years for Calvin, becoming just the 14th
runner in NCAA Division III history to accomplish that feat, and played a key
role as Calvin won the national championship in 2006. He finished fifth in the
2006 NCAA national meet and sixth in the 2008 national championships. He was
twice named Great Lakes Regional Athlete of the Year by the Cross Country
Coaches Association, in 2007 and 2008. He served as
team captain in both his junior and senior years.
A major in secondary education and physical education with a 3.55 grade point
average, Christiansen will graduate from Calvin in May 2010 after completing
his student teaching. He was a member of the Cross Country Coaches All-Academic
Team in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and of the U.S. Track Coaches Association
All-Academic Team in 2008. Jed was also named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll
for the 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 academic years.
Christiansen was a student mentor leader at Calvin for four years, served as
student chairperson for the Area 11 Michigan Special Olympics, and volunteered
with Habitat for Humanity, Raybrook Retirement Home in Grand Rapids, Christ
Community Church, and the Greenville (Pa.) Nursing Home. He served on
Calvin’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for two years and last
fall contributed to an NCAA student-athlete blog.
Jed Christiansen is the son of Joshua and Marcia Christiansen.
Other nominees for the Deal Award were Todd Meyers of Adrian, Ryan Gunderson
of Albion, William “Buddy” Scarborough of Alma, Jesse Reimink of Hope,
Bobby Dekker of Kalamazoo and Mark VanLente of Olivet.
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Tue Jun 16 11:58:23 2009
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