Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Winners
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced on Thursday, 28 honorees named Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2017-18 academic year, including Illini honorees Taylor Edwards (softball) and Aaron Jordan (men's basketball). These standouts were chosen from a group of more than 350 students honored throughout the academic year who had displayed positive sportsmanship.
Illini softball coach Tyra Perry on Edwards:
"Taylor Edwards is one of the toughest players I have had the pleasure of coaching. She is a great motivator in both word and deed. She goes out of her way to help her teammates become the best version of themselves both on and off the field. Community Service, advancing the sport of softball and leadership are top priorities for Taylor. She takes on an active role in all of our team community service projects. Taylor puts forth the same energy in the classroom that she does on the softball field. She gives 100% every single day and represents the Fighting Illini Sprit in every way."
Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood on Jordan:
"Aaron Jordan is a leader on and off the court and he sets the standard for the team with his work ethic, practically living in the gym. Aaron did not play much during his first two seasons, but never got discouraged or second-guessed his abilities. He just continued to put in the work and let his play do the talking. That paid off this year with more playing time, a team-best 46.3 percent shooting from behind the arc and a career-high scoring average of 7.9 points per game, up from 1.0 the previous season. Aaron is on pace to earn his bachelor's degree in media and cinema studies next year and he also participates in numerous community service initiatives. He'll continue to play an integral role for the Illini, representing the culture of the program and embodying the phrase 'Everyday Guys.'"
One member of each varsity sports team on every campus was chosen by his or her institution as a Sportsmanship Award honoree, and two Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winners were then selected from each institution. All of the Sportsmanship Award winners have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition, these honorees must be in good academic standing and must have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
