For the second time in two weeks, Illinois State mens basketball player Neil Plank has been selected the Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week for the period of Dec. 13-19, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today.
The Valleys Scholar-Athlete program, which is sponsored by Prairie Farms, Roberts and Hiland Dairies, honors conference student-athletes for their athletic performance for a one-week period and academic success in the classroom. The program began during the 1999-00 academic year.
Plank, a junior from Mt. Zion, Ill., compiled 16 points, three boards and two assists to lead the Redbirds to a 73-67 triumph at Loyola on Dec. 18. Plank, who has a 4.00 cumulative grade-point average in finance and insurance, connected on 6-for-10 shooting from the field, including 2-for-4 from beyond the arc.
To qualify for Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.
