2012 Scholar-Athlete of the Year Nominees – South Dakota

South Dakota's Chad Pinkelman and Elizabeth Hoffman

Each day, The Summit League will feature one institution’s male and female student-athlete nominees for The Summit League Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, the highest award bestowed by the league.  The award honors the outstanding academic achievement, athletic achievement, attitude and leadership of one male and one female student-athlete.  The award is voted on by the league’s faculty athletic representatives and will be announced on Thursday, June 28.

South Dakota’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year Nominees

Chad Pinkelman, Track & Field
Sr. // 3.95 GPA // Major: Business Management

Academic Achievements
Named to the Academic All-League team and the Commissioner’s List of Excellence … three-time academic all-conference in his career.

Athletic Achievements
Recorded seven career all-conference honors … Finished fourth in the triple jump at The Summit League Outdoor Track and Field Championships … Earned top-eight finishes in the high jump and triple jump at the league indoor meet.

Elizabeth Hoffman, Swimming & Diving
Sr. // 3.98 GPA // Major: English/Pre-Med

Academic Achievements
Three-time Academic All-League, Distinguished Scholar and the Commissioner’s List of Excellence selection … One of 29 women to earn the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and the first Coyote athlete since moving to Division I in 2008 … Named an academic All-District honoree … Named to the Dean’s List from 2008-12.

Athletic Achievements
Finished her career with a school-record 82 individual event wins, including 26 in 2011-12 … A 2012 All-League honoree, including runner-up finishes in the 50 and 100 Free at the league meet … Holds 22 school records and is a two-time South Dakota Female Athlete of the Year … Won three Summit League individual championships, becoming the first Coyote swimmer or diver to do so.

Other Campus Curricular or Extracurricular Activities
Two-year member of SAAC and the chairperson of the field day committee … Member of the Golden Key International Honors Society.

Previously Highlighted Nominees:

IPFW - Drew Imel & Lauren McCracken
IUPUI - Perez Agaba & Elizabeth Bourgeois
UMKC - Cosmas Ayabei & Kaelene Curry
NDSU – Zach Wentz & Amy Anderson
OU – Timothy Montague & Alyssa Vela
ORU - Shadrack Koech & Kristen Radcliff
SDSU - Jacob Schneller & Jill Young
WIU – Jeffery Liles & Jenna Verity