MOSCOW, Idaho – The National Vandal Scholarship Fund Board of Directors is proud to announce the 2019 Annual Awards recipients. Awardees will be recognized by their peers during Idaho football's matchup with No. 8 Sacramento State in the Kibbie Dome on Saturday, November 16.
"We're very thankful for all that our Vandal Scholarship Fund members do to help support Idaho Athletics and provide the best opportunities for our student-athletes across all 16 sports," said Director of Athletics,
Terry Gawlik. "We're proud to announce this year's award recipients who went above and beyond the call of duty to help make us more successful in competition and in the classroom."
"Our goal is to ensure our 300-plus student-athletes have the tools and resources needed to be competitive academically and athletically," said Mahmood U. Sheikh, VSF Executive Director. "The individuals being recognized personify that goal. We are fortunate to have dedicated individuals and cannot thank them enough for the work they do in their respective communities on behalf of our beloved University."
Mark Boatman of Lewiston, Idaho, was named the Vandal Booster of the Year. The award is designed to recognize someone who has given superior service and effort to the Vandals. This person should have served with exemplary leadership in his local group, as well as in the overall organization.
Head women's basketball coach
Jon Newlee took home Vandal Coach of the Year honors. The award not only recognizes the coach who has done an excellent job on the field of play, but who has also assisted the program through attending events and helping to cultivate donors. The emphasis on winning, coupled with scholastics and good sportsmanship, are important factors in the selection process. Newlee and the Vandals checked all the boxes, winning the 2018-19 Big Sky Regular Season Championships and having senior Mikayla Ferenz earn Google Cloud CoSIDA Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for women's basketball after earning First Team honors in back-to-back seasons.
Phil Soulen was awarded the John Kirtland Vandal Spirit Award. Soulen, who passed away in October, was a loyal Vandal, through and through. This award, nominated by coaches and staff members, is awarded to a booster that shows his or her Vandal spirit and supports all athletic programs with dignity and good sportsmanship. The award is named after Vandal great, John Kirtland, and is voted on by the National Board.
The Elsbeth Bush Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals for their efforts and services to the program that is above the norm in fundraising. Elsbeth Bush was an integral part of the Idaho Athletic Department and this award is meant to commemorate and honor her and the traits that distinguished her as a unique individual.
The 2019 recipients are:
- Casey Bender – Boise, Idaho
- Ellen Boatman – Lewiston, Idaho
- Mallory Cook – Boise, Idaho
- John Kirtland – posthumous
- Don Meyer – Moscow, Idaho
- Rick Sparks – Hayden, Idaho
- Heather Stegner – Boise, Idaho
- Nathan Jerke - Buhl, Idaho
The goal of Vandal Boosters, Inc. through its membership program known as the Vandal Scholarship Fund is to fund all of the student-athlete scholarships awarded by the Department of Athletics at the University of Idaho.
To learn more about the Vandal Scholarship Fund please call (208) 885-0259 or visit uidaho.edu/vsf.
