Gardner, Elmblad Collect U-M's Big Ten Sportsmanship Awards
6/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football, General, Women's Basketball
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Recently graduated seniors Devin Gardner (football) and Nicole Elmblad (women's basketball) were named the University of Michigan's Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winners by the Big Ten Conference on Wednesday (June 3).
The Big Ten honored one female and one male recipient from each of its 14 member schools for outstanding sportsmanship today. In addition, one student-athlete from each varsity program was also recognized by exemplifying the principles of good sportsmanship through their conduct during and after competition.
Elmblad, Michigan's 2015 Medal of Honor recipient, started all 35 games for the Maize and Blue this season, averaging 7.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. She was named to the WNIT all-tournament team and will leave Michigan as the leader in games played with 133. Her class holds the Michigan record for wins in a career (82) and is the only class to record at least 20 wins in all four seasons.
A two-time captain and starter for the Wolverines, Elmblad was a two-time Academic All-American (2014 second team, 2015 third team), three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. Elmblad completed her bachelor's degree in biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience in May and plans to attend medical school.
Gardner earned his fourth varsity letter in 2014, appearing in 12 games with 11 starts for the Wolverines. He completed 174-of-283 passes for 1,896 yards and 10 touchdowns, while carrying the ball 98 times for 258 yards and four touchdowns. He was a Senior CLASS finalist, one of 10 in the country. Gardner took regular visits to the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and frequently visited schools to interact with and read to classes, speak at graduations and assist with field days. Over the summer of 2014, he spent six hours daily volunteering at the Peace Neighborhood Center in Ann Arbor. Gardner also has participated in events including U-Meet the Athlete Clinics, Food Gatherers Food Drive and a Michigan ACES event.
A photograph of Gardner consoling Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett during the Michigan-Ohio State game last season went viral as a show of amazing sportsmanship. Gardner holds a bachelor's degree in Afro-American and African studies and a master's degree in social work.
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.
Michigan 2014-15 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Winners
Baseball: Eric Jacobson
Men's Basketball: Spike Albrecht
Women's Basketball: Nicole Elmblad
Men's Cross Country: Tony Smoragiewicz
Women's Cross Country: Brook Handler
Field Hockey: Jaime Dean
Football: Devin Gardner
Men's Golf: Noori Hyun
Women's Golf: Lauren Grogan
Men's Gymnastics: Stacey Ervin
Women's Gymnastics: Annette Miele
Ice Hockey: Zach Hyman
Men's Lacrosse: Mike Francia
Women's Lacrosse: Sophie duPhily
Rowing: Allison Boss
Men's Soccer: Nick Lewin
Women's Soccer: Jen Pace
Softball: Becca Garfinkel
Men's Swimming and Diving: Richard Funk
Women's Swimming and Diving: Molly Schaefer
Men's Tennis: Davis Crocker
Women's Tennis: Ronit Yurovsky
Men's Indoor Track and Field: Morsi Rayyan
Men's Outdoor Track and Field: Cody Riffle
Women's Indoor Track and Field: Alexandra Leptich
Women's Outdoor Track and Field: Brook Handler
Volleyball: Lindsey Lerg
Water Polo: Elizabeth Williams
Wrestling: Chris Heald
