Josten's Release

SALEM, Va. - Junior Lauren Huber (Lombard, Ill.-Glenbard North) of the Illinois Wesleyan University women's basketball team was named a finalist for the Josten's Trophy announced Wednesday afternoon, March 6.

The Jostens Trophy honors are national awards created by the Rotary Club of Salem and sponsored by Jostens, Inc., to recognize the most outstanding men's and women's Division III basketball players of the year. The awards focus on three major criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess, and service to one's surrounding communities. The Jostens Trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of a well-rounded Division III student-athlete. The 2023 season marks the 25th time the Jostens Trophy honors have been awarded.

A Preseason D3hoops All-American, Huber helped guide the Titans to a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Regular Season Co-Championship. A second-year captain for the Green and White, Huber powered IWU into the second round of the NCAA Tournament. She was the team leader in both scoring and rebounding with 15.6 points per game and 8.1 boards per contest. She finished the season shooting 51.2 percent from the floor, 45.5 percent from three-point range, and 78.8 percent from the free throw line. The Lombard, Ill. native was a First Team All-CCIW selection for the third straight year, and was also named to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week earlier in the season.

Off the court, Huber has excelled academically as a biology major at IWU. A two-time Academic All-CCIW honoree, she was also recognized as College Sports Communicators Academic All-District in 2023. Additionally, Huber is a trained and licensed Emergency Medical Technician, and has held the position of General Biology Lab Preparator for Dr. Libby Haywood. She has also served as an athletic training student assistant, where she helped provide treatment to IWU student-athletes.

Huber is one of our busiest student-athletes, but somehow excels in all aspects of academics, athletics, and service. She has organized, led, and participated in many community service activities including: serving as a youth basketball camp counselor, serving on our Student Athlete Advisory Committee, assuming the role of Director of Student-Athlete Development for SAAC, being a member of the Pre Healthy Club Fellowship of Christian Athlete, while also spending her time as a Night to Shine Volunteer, Trick or Treat Canned Food Drive leader, Timber Lake 5K Set Up Volunteer, fundraising for St. Jude's, participating in the Impact Life Blood Drive, and a leader on the Pink Zone Decorating Committee.

She has held leadership positions within our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and in other areas on campus. She was the single student representative from our entire campus chosen to speak at the benefactors dinner earlier this year. She is the Director of Student-Athlete Development for our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where she works to create leadership development and community service opportunities for our entire student-athlete body. She is also an active member of Beta Beta Beta and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where she has led various initiatives.

Huber will look to become IWU's first Josten's Award winner in program history, and join former Titan men's basketball standout Korey Coon (2000) as Illinois Wesleyan's all-time recipients. 

The winners will be chosen by a 27-person national selection committee composed of men and women from across the country. The committee features current and former athletic administrators and head coaches, past Jostens Trophy recipients, and select members of the Division III media. 

In addition to the Trophy, the Wooldridge Scholarship, a $1,000 donation, will be presented in the names of the winners to their institutions. The scholarship is named after Dan Wooldridge, a Salem Rotarian and the retired commissioner that founded the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), for his long-time dedication to Division III athletics.

The award recipient will be announced March 18. 

About the Trophy
This impressive award will honor the Division III Men's and Women's Basketball Outstanding Athletes of the Year. Recipients of the Jostens Trophy must exhibit excellence in basketball, academics and community service. Designed and sponsored by Jostens and the Rotary Club of Salem, Va., this 64-pound trophy stands nearly two feet tall and features an eight-inch crystal basketball. The recipients will be announced the week following the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Basketball Championships in March. The Rotary Club of Salem, through its Wooldridge Scholarship Fund, will award $1,000 to the scholarship fund of the recipient's institution in his/her name.

The Award's Significance
The Jostens Trophy bears the name of the Minneapolis, Minn. company, a leading provider of products and services that help people recognize achievement and affiliation throughout their lives. Jostens products include yearbooks, class rings, champ rings and graduation products. The Jostens Trophy is a symbol of excellence for the Division III student athlete. 

Jostens Trophy Chairman Mark Henrickson comments, "The Rotary Club of Salem, Va. is honored to present this prestigious award to such outstanding recipients. We greatly appreciate Jostens valuable contributions as we partner to recognize excellence in basketball, academics and community service. The Rotary Club motto is 'Service Above Self,' and we are proud to acknowledge those well-rounded student athletes who exemplify this motto."


Women
Claire Brock - Emory University
Reilly Campbell - Trinity College
Brianna Fitzgerald - SUNY New Paltz
Aleah Grundahl - University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Lauren Huber - Illinois Wesleyan University
Alexandra Kerley - Lesley University
Parris Parmer - Hardin-Simmons University
Cassidy Perry - Gallaudet University
Kasey Schipfer - Ohio Wesleyan University
Toni Thompson - Occidental College

Men
Jack Anderson - Keystone College
Will Bartoszek - Hardin-Simmons University
Tyler Dearman - Guilford College
Jeff Hunter - Keene State College
Josiah Johnson - University of Mary Hardin Baylor
Ryan Jolly - Piedmont University
Anthony Mazzeo - Case Western Reserve University
Logan Pearson - University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Zevi Samet - Yeshiva University
Cael Schmitt - Coe College