Bartz, a senior student-athlete at Bethany College from Salina, Kan. will graduate in May of 2008 with majors in English Teaching and Philosophy. A standout player on the softball field, Bartz is active in many areas on and off campus.

She is the president and co-founder of the Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter, senior resident assistant in the residence halls on campus, campus ministries coordinator, creative writing club co-founder and president, Bethany College ambassador, humanities department work study secretary, tutor of Introduction to Philosophy, CHUMS mentor in Lindsborg and involved in the honors program.

"Darcy is the epitome of the student-athlete, said Kristin Van Tassell, PhD., Department of English at Bethany College. "When I see Darcy lead the creative writing club, and when I see her perform so confidently and well in class, I have little difficulty imagining her role on the softball field, where she has excelled as both a player and team leader."

Bartz leads by example on her team and uses the opportunity to compete in softball as an avenue to teach others the fundamental skills behind the sport. In the Lindsborg community, Bartz works with the YMCA softball league and serves as a coach for seventh and eighth graders in Dickinson County.

Recipients are selected by the NAIA Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives from a field of nominees who attend NAIA member institutions. Candidates must achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical and Bethany College will receive a $1,000 scholarship award from Daktronics in the name of the winner. Hizak and Bartz are tremendous representatives of character driven athletics and have experienced great success in and out of competition.