Dayton Flyers

June 7, 2011

Atlantic10.com

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Atlantic 10 Conference Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade announced today the recipients of the A-10 Postgraduate Scholarships which included University of Dayton volleyball’s Becky Novacek. This year’s recipients also include Saint Louis’ Hailee Elmore, Xavier’s Thomas Kauffman, and Duquesne’s Samantha Pollino. 
 
Each recipient will receive $5,000 to contribute to their graduate education. All four student-athletes have performed with distinction both in the classroom and in their respective sports throughout their career, while demonstrating exemplary conduct in the community.
 
Novacek is a two-time, first-team Atlantic 10 All-Conference honoree in leading the University of Dayton to the league championship in 2007, 2009 and 2010. The middle blocker guided the Flyers to the NCAA Tournament in each of her four years at Dayton advancing to the Second Round in three of those four years (2007, 2009, 2010). She was nominated for the Volleyball Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, named to the A-10 All-Tournament Team and received AVCA Division I All-Region Honorable Mention accolades all during her senior campaign in 2010. Novacek finished her senior season ranked in the top 50 nationally in blocks per set, while ranking in the top 100 nationally for hitting percentage in 2009 and 2010.  She would finish her Flyer career with a .310 hitting percentage and 300 total blocks. 
 
In the classroom, Novacek has accumulated an overall grade point average of 3.863 while double majoring in accounting and finance. The Aliquippa, Pa., native is an eight-time member of the Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. She was named the A-10 Student-Athlete of the Year in 2010, while earning a spot on the A-10 Academic All-Conference Team and District IV ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District Team. Novacek also was honored with the Team Academic Award by the AVCA in 2007, 2008 and 2009. A member of Beta Alpha Psi and Beta Gamma Sigma, Novacek has performed over 75 hours of community service during her tenure at Dayton.

"Becky Novacek is the epitome of what Dayton volleyball is all about. Nobody ever outworked Becky, on the court, in the weight room, or in the classroom,” Flyer head coach Kelly Sheffield said.  “She is the classic example that with hard work and high expectations, you can achieve a lot in life. She's always been a great student, but having a 3.87 GPA in two challenging majors is impressive.

“Becky gave everything of herself to the team, program, and to UD. She came in as a very inexperienced, but athletic, player and left as one of the best middles around. Her consistency with her work ethic, determination, and genuine kindness absolutely set the standard for us. Becky has a great future ahead for herself and is very deserving of this prestigious award."

Novacek is the sixth University of Dayton student-athlete to earn an Atlantic 10 Conference Postgraduate scholarship. Half of those six student-athletes from UD have been volleyball players.

The Atlantic 10 Conference annually honors student-athletes who excel in academics and athletics and are involved in extra-curricular activities. The recipients of the A-10 Postgraduate Scholarships are required to use their scholarship toward postgraduate education expenses. Novacek will use the scholarship towards a MBA in Accountancy at UD.

Read more about the other Atlantic 10 Postgraduate Scholars.