May 15, 2001

NKU TRIO SHARES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Buroker, Stevenson and Tuchfarber earn Athlete of Distinction Award honors

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Three Northern Kentucky University student-athletes - volleyball player Jessica Buroker, women’s soccer player Malissa Stevenson and women’s basketball player Michele Tuchfarber - have been selected as recipients of the 2001 Margery Rouse Athlete of Distinction Award. The Margery Rouse Athlete of Distinction Award is given annually to a female student-athlete who best exemplifies the student-athlete concept through dedication, effort, ability, leadership and unselfishness and have given the most of themselves to intercollegiate athletics at NKU. In addition, the award is based on academic excellence, athletic ability and achievement, character and leadership and an active involvement in the community. Buroker, a native of Bluffton, Ohio, is the only volleyball player in Great Lakes Valley Conference history to win four conference championships, and she was a two-time member of the All-GLVC Team. In addition, Buroker became the first volleyball player in NKU history to earn first team All-American honors when she was named to the AVCA’s first team in 1999. Stevenson, a graduate of Anderson High School, led NKU to the NCAA Division II national championship game this past season. Stevenson also earned All-GLVC honors and Academic All-America honors. Tuchfarber, a graduate of Mount Notre Dame High School, scored 1,509 career points (No. 3 in NKU history) and made a school-record 159 three-point field goals during her four years.