FSU's Rachel Folcik Tabbed As Game Co-MVP

Big Rapids, Mich. - Former Ferris State University women's basketball standout and current Bulldog student assistant coach Rachel Folcik proved once again she can still play by being chosen as the Co-Most Valuable Player Award recipient in a recent all-star contest.

Folcik tallied 30 points and eight rebounds in a 99-97 double overtime setback for the pro team against a squad of college standouts in the annual Champions of Character All-Star Women's Game played last week (June 23) at Cornerstone University's Mol Arena in Grand Rapids.

The Bulldog alum shared the MVP recognition with former Grand Rapids Christian and Oakland University player Melissa Jeltema, who paced the college all-stars with 39 points and nine boards.

The contest was decided by a sudden death second overtime due to the scheduled start of the men's all-star game.

Folcik originally was tabbed and played in the inaugural Champions of Character All-Star Game as a member of the college team following her senior season in the 2007-08 campaign.

The all-star games annually feature the top senior college student-athletes from NCAA Divisions I, II, III along with NAIA schools competing against former West Michigan basketball legends and others who played professionally.  The goal is to raise more than $5,000 in support on the Champions of Character lecturing initiative, in which every player, coach, referee, parent and spectator will commit back to the true spirit (fun) of competition through respect, integrity, responsibility, leadership and sportsmanship. Major Sponsors include MVP Sports/Vanderweide Family Foundation, Meijer and Alticor.

Folcik wrapped up her stellar Bulldog career in 2007-08 and spent the 2008-09 season playing overseas, but returned to FSU to pursue a Master's degree last fall and presently serves as a student assistant coach in the program.

Folcik rejoined the Bulldog program following a one-year stint as a professional player overseas in Portugal during the 2008-09 campaign. A 2007-08 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team recipient, Folcik twice picked up All-America Honorable Mention honors on the hardwood for the Bulldogs and was named to both the NCAA Division II State Farm Coaches' and Women's Division II Basketball Bulletin Honorable Mention All-America Teams following the 2007-08 campaign. She was also both a Daktronics All-Great Lakes Region First Team selection along with being named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Region 4 First Team covering the Great Lakes Region as a senior. Folcik was honored as an All-GLIAC North Division First Team pick and a GLIAC North Division All-Defensive Team selection for the second-straight year in her final campaign.

Folcik concluded her FSU career listed second in school history with 1,705 career points and was only 16 shy of tying Lucy DeMartin's school-record total of 1,721 points at FSU. The 6-1 Folcik posted a school-record 677 career made field goals and is listed second with 793 rebounds all-time at Ferris State. In 2007-08, Folcik was the squad's leading scorer (19.5 ppg) and rebounder (8.3 rpg) despite missing the last two regular-season games with an injury. She reached double-figure scoring in 25 of her 27 contests while posting 12 double-double (points & rebounds) efforts. The 2006-07 NCAA Division II Kodak/Women's Basketball Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-American was named to the All-Great Lakes Region First Team in both of her final two collegiate campaigns.

Folcik finished her final season ranked second in the GLIAC in scoring (19.5 ppg.) along with tied for second in free throw percentage (.833) and third in rebounding (8.3 rpg.). She totaled 81 double-figure scoring games in 113 career contests as a Bulldog player. Also, Folcik scored 20 points or more 12 times in 2007-08 with three games of 30 points or more.

As a junior in 2006-07, Folcik led the Bulldogs to a school-record 23 wins (23-9) and the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen. Folcik's 241 made field goals and 602 total points that season were both school single-season marks while her 261 rebounds was the second-highest seasonal figure in FSU history. The two-time team captain, who averaged a team-best 18.8 points per game in 2006-07, scored in double-figures 27 times as a junior and notched 13 double-double (points & rebounds) performances. Folcik also averaged a squad-best 8.2 rebounds per game in 2006-07. She finished the year listed second overall in scoring and fifth in rebounds among the GLIAC's overall leaders while ranking second in both field goal (.555) and free throw (.860) percentage.