June 16, 2009

BAY CITY, Mich. - The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced the Spring 2009 recipients of the GLIAC Commissioner's Awards for Academic and Athletic Excellence. The awards, sponsored by Meijer, Incorporated, are presented after the Fall, Winter, and Spring athletic seasons to six male and six female student-athletes that excel both in the classroom and on the fields of play.

The six female student-athletes to receive the Spring 2009 GLIAC Commissioner's Awards are: Holly Bruntjens of Ferris State University; Katie Ammons of the University of Findlay; Caitlin Bennett of Grand Valley State University; Sarah Kauk of Hillsdale College; Katie Scott of Lake Superior State University and Kristen Ameling of Tiffin University.

The six male student-athletes to receive the Spring 2009 GLIAC Commissioner's Awards are: Joe D'Andrea of Ashland University; James Eric of the University of Findlay; Brett Girard of Michigan Technological University; Charlie Thomas of Saginaw Valley State University; Jeremy Lee of Tiffin University and Michael Wiseman of Wayne State University.

"These 12 student-athletes exemplify the NCAA Division II philosophy of balance between academics and athletics by excelling in both areas," stated GLIAC Commissioner Tom Brown. "Our conference, along with Meijer Incorporated, feel that it is important to recognize these hard working student-athletes for their outstanding performances in the classroom and on the field of play. The GLIAC would like to thank Meijer for their generous sponsorship of the 2009 Commissioner's Awards and for helping us acknowledge the exceptional accomplishments of this group."

Wiseman (White Lake, Mich./Lakeland) started 49 games behind the plate, posting a .985 fielding percentage and leading the GLIAC with 27 runners caught stealing. He batted .370, including a .406 average in conference games, and totaled six home runs, 35 RBI and 44 runs scored. In 2009, Wiseman earned All-GLIAC First Team and All-Midwest Region Second Team honors. He is an accounting major and served as the Communications Officer for WSU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.