Hetchler Claims GLIAC Commissioner's Honor

Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University's Bryce Hetchler (Clinton Township/Fraser), who completed her collegiate career as a women's golf team member for the Bulldogs this past spring, was recently recognized as a spring recipient of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Commissioner's Award for Excellence.

The GLIAC announced the recipients of the Spring 2012 Meijer Commissioner's Awards. The awards, sponsored by Meijer, are presented after the Fall, Winter, and Spring athletic seasons to six female and six male student-athletes that excel both in the classroom and on the fields of play. All grade point averages are based on a 4.0 scale.

The six female student-athletes to receive the Spring 2012 Meijer Commissioner's Awards were: Emlyn Knerem and Erin Misheff of Ashland University; Bryce Hetchler of Ferris State University; Sarah Hoffman of Grand Valley State University; Kristen Cameron of Northwood University, and Alison Allen of Wayne State University.

The six male student-athletes receiving the Spring 2012 Meijer Commissioner's Awards included: Garrett Grey of Ashland University; Jared Cowan of Grand Valley State University; Nathan Saliga of Michigan Technological University; Marcus Oliveira of Northwood University; and Andrew Ciennik and Thomas Ducret of Wayne State University.

"It is with great honor and pride that the GLIAC celebrates the accomplishments of our 12 award winners," stated GLIAC Commissioner Dell Robinson. "The student athletes serve as a testament to the talented student-athlete population we have in the GLIAC. These individuals will continue to be a shining light to their universities and communities. I would like thank Meijer for their continued support that allows the GLIAC to honor our top student-athletes."

Hetchler claimed All-GLIAC Second Team honors for the third time in her collegiate career during the 2011-12 campaign. The Capital One Academic All-District IV First Team recipient helped the Bulldogs advance to the NCAA Division II Super Regional Championships for the fourth consecutive campaign and led FSU to a share of sixth place at the 2012 NCAA Division II East Super Regional.

The Bulldog senior placed among the top 20 finishers in seven tournaments this season, which included six top-20 finishes in the spring. She concluded her career placing among the top 20 finishers in 22 tournaments over her four seasons and won the Findlay Invitational this spring (April 4) as the Bulldogs claimed the team title.

Overall, Hetchler finished among the top 40 individual players in 11 of 12 tournaments during the 2011-12 campaign. She's a three-time National Golf Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete Team honoree and a four-time GLIAC All-Academic pick.