Indiana University Athletics
Big Ten Medal of Honor Winners Announced
6/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
June 8, 2011
PARK RIDGE, Ill. -
The Big Ten Conference office announced on Wednesday the 2011 Medal of Honor winners. The award was established in 1914 when the Big Ten endowed a Medal of Honor to be given annually to a student in the graduating class of each university that demonstrated proficiency in scholarship and athletics. In 1982, the Medal of Honor was expanded to include a senior female athlete from each institution.
Quarterback Ben Chappell and pole vaulter Vera Neuenswander were selected as Indiana's award winners. Chappell recently completed his career at IU as the school's career leader in pass attempts, pass completions and completion percentage. He led the team in total offense for the second-straight year with 3,295 yards, including a school-record 475 yards vs. Michigan. His 7,251 career passing yards ranks second on the IU all-time list.
Neunswander is the third seed in the pole vault at this week's NCAA Track and Field Championships. She won the 2011 Big Ten title in the pole vault, clearing 14-3.5 to tie the all-time Big Ten outdoor record and set a new meet record.
This year, 22 student-athletes, representing 14 sports, have been chosen for the Medal of Honor. Twenty-one of this year’s honorees earned Academic All-Big Ten status, while 16 of the recipients were named All-Big Ten selections.
The 2011 Big Ten Medal of Honor winners are listed below.
Illinois
Scott Langley, Men’s Golf
Hillary Haen, Women’s Volleyball
Indiana
Ben Chappell, Football
Vera Neuenswander, Women’s Track & Field
Iowa
Julian Vandervelde, Football
Bethany Praska, Women’s Track & Field
Michigan
Carl Hagelin, Men’s Ice Hockey
Sarah Curtis, Women’s Gymnastics
Michigan State
Brandon Eckerle, Baseball
Aimee Neff, Women’s Golf
Minnesota
Mike Thorn, Wrestling
Kaylee Jamison, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Northwestern
Matt Eliason, Men’s Soccer
Maria Mosolova, Women’s Tennis
Ohio State
Steven Kehoe, Men’s Volleyball
Cassie Dickerson, Women’s Soccer
Penn State
Stefen Wisniewski, Football
Jessica Babcock, Women’s Track & Field
Purdue
Kyle Adams, Football
Allie Smith, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Wisconsin
Gabe Carimi, Football
Maggie Meyer, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Players Mentioned
