CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR JUNE 16, 2012
MIAA Announces 2011-12 Deal, Kovalchik Awards
(release prepared by MIAA publicist Greg Chandler)
Awards by the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association to the outstanding
senior athletes from its member schools during the 2011-12 academic year have
been announced by Commissioner David Neilson.
Mike Harden of Olivet College has received the Albert L. Deal Scholar-Athlete
Award, while Rebecca Kamp of Calvin College has been presented the Sheila
Wallace Kovalchik Scholar-Athlete Award.
"Mike and Rebecca have had marvelous careers these last four years in the
classroom, on the field, 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).
Rebecca Kamp
A native of Palos Heights, Ill., and a graduate of Chicago Christian High
School, Rebecca Kamp lettered in volleyball all four years at Calvin. A middle
hitter, she was a four-time All-MIAA first team selection and last fall became
the first player in conference history to be named MIAA Most Valuable Player in
volleyball three times (2008, 2010 and 2011). She also is one of only two
players in NCAA Division III history to be named a first-team All-American all
four years of her career.
This past December, she was named the Division III National Player of the Year
by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and was later named the Capital
One Academic All-American of the Year in Division III, becoming the first MIAA
student-athlete to achieve that distinction in volleyball. In 2008, she was
named the AVCA’s national Freshman of the Year.
Kamp was a part of two MIAA regular season championship teams and two teams
that claimed MIAA Tournament titles. In 2010, she helped lead Calvin to the
school’s first national championship in volleyball, earning Most Outstanding
Player honors at the finals in St. Louis, Mo.
A special education/elementary education major at Calvin, Kamp graduated in
May with a 3.93 grade point average. She has been a member of the Dean’s List
at Calvin all four years, a four-time member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll
and a two-time Capital One first team Academic All-America selection (2009 and
2011).
Kamp was involved in many community service projects during her career,
including serving as a mentor for high school girls with autism in a program
called Puzzle Partners, mentoring third and fourth-grade girls in a program at
a Grand Rapids Christian elementary school and teaching Sunday School at a
local church. She also served on Calvin’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
for four years. She also participated in projects for Michigan Special
Olympics, Habitat for Humanity and the Christian Learning Center.
Kamp recently was named the recipient of the Kay Tiemersma Award, presented
annually to Calvin’s most outstanding senior female student-athlete. Next fall,
she will begin teaching at Westminster Christian High School in St. Louis, Mo.
Rebecca Kamp is the daughter of Lambert and Lori Kamp.
Rebecca Kamp is the sixth individual from Calvin to receive the Kovalchik
Award as Annie VanderLaan (2003), Christine Hendricks (2006), Lisa Winkle
(2007), Sarah Wittingen (2008) and Melissa Oosterhouse (2011) were all
previously so honored.
Received on Sat Jun 16 11:24:56 2012
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