Senior Tiffany DeClark has received recognition for excelling both on the field and in the classroom.
DeClark was named Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week for the period of Sept. 29-Oct. 5. She received the nomination after becoming the career assist leader for the Redbirds with 11 assists and maintaining a 3.95 cumulative grade-point average in public relations.
DeClark, a defender for the womens soccer team, was surprised and proud of to be honored by the Valley.
All the honors that I receive academically are very rewarding to me, DeClark said. A student-athletes grades sometimes go unnoticed and it is nice to be recognized for the work we do in the class room.
The Buffalo Grove, Ill., native also holds the record for assists in a game and is tied for the lead in assists per season.
DeClark started her first two years at Illinois State as a forward and scored 20 points her freshman year, putting her on the all-time ISU list. DeClarks junior year was her first season as a defender and she also excelled at that position, making the All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team.
The transition from an offensive player to a defensive player has gone smoothly for DeClark.
Right now I am comfortable with my position, DeClark said. Weve worked on transitions with drills in practice everyday. I played offense all my life but I like being a defender.
Some of her academic achievements at Illinois state include: AFNI Honor Roll, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Honor Society, Deans List, State Farm Academic Excellence, Valley Scholar Athlete, and MVC Scholar Athlete Award. DeClark was also one of only two unanimous Valley Scholar-Athlete picks in 2002.
DeClark said balancing school and soccer is a challenge, but has taught her a lot.
Being a student-athlete is tough and you deal with a lot of stress, DeClark said. I have learned how to manage my time and juggle several things at once and I think these things will help me in future jobs.
DeClark is thinking of continuing her education by going to law school.
If I can not continue playing soccer professionally after college then I want to go to law school, DeClark said. "I think that playing sports has prepared me for dealing with the stress that law school puts on people.
DeClark has been playing soccer since she was five years old and comes from a big soccer family.
Soccer has always been a part of my life, DeClark said. My dad was my coach when I played on the traveling team and both my sisters play soccer in college. My family is very supportive of me.
DeClarks personal goal for her last year at Illinois State is to win conference and get the bid to the NCAA tournament. She also is looking forward to playing Drake this year.
I think that playing Drake will be the most difficult game we play this year, DeClark said. We are both undefeated in the conference right now. It should be a very challenging game.
The Redbirds take on Drury University on Friday at 7 p.m. and SMS on Sunday in Springfield, Mo. Their record is currently 6-4-2.
Written by Jolene Harrison, Student Assistant, Athletics Media Relations
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