Volleyball player Faye Adelaja and men’s tennis player Matt Bouggy were named Purdue’s recipients of the 2017 Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award, the conference office announced Wednesday. Twenty-eight student-athletes from around the conference were selected for the honor from a group that exceeded 350 candidates.
The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. The individuals must be fair and respectful to their opponent and, in addition, be enthusiastic about the game, enjoy playing it and, win or lose, do their absolute best at all times. The recipients also shall be active on their campus communities. In addition, the student-athletes must be in good academic standing and must have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
Adelaja finished her career at Purdue as one of just 12 student-athletes in program history to register 700 kills and 350 blocks. The middle blocker out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ranks second in Purdue history with a .362 career hitting percentage and is eighth all time with 341 career block assists. While leading the Boilermakers to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Elite Eight, she also accumulated All-America honors and two All-Big Ten nods. Adelaja has graduated from Purdue and will begin a new chapter attending med school at the University of Texas, San Antonio.
“It is exciting to learn that Faye has been selected as our female recipient of the 2017 Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award,” Purdue’s volleyball head coach Dave Shondell said. “Faye has been an absolute treat to coach and watch develop during her career as a Boilermaker. Her passion for volleyball and life can never be questioned and her evolution as a leader has been remarkable. Integrity is paramount to how Faye operates as a student-athlete and citizen. She has been an ideal and unique role-model for student-athletes everywhere. Our program will miss having Faye directly in our culture, but Purdue volleyball will benefit from her behavior and dedication forever.”
Bouggy, a four-year starter and native of West Lafayette, Indiana, bookended his career with NCAA Championship appearances. In that time, he earned 10 singles victories for the Boilermakers and was a mainstay at the number 6 position as a sophomore. Additionally, he acquired 12 doubles wins for Purdue, including a 5-3 mark his senior season. Bouggy was a perfect three-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient – freshmen are ineligible – and two-time ITA Scholar Athlete. He also received the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar award from the conference as a sophomore.
“I’m extremely proud of Matt,” Purdue men’s tennis head coach Pawel Gajdzik said. “He is the perfect recipient for this award; he is the model student-athlete, excelling in competition, school and how he conducts himself day-to-day. These qualities are the pillars of our program and something we take very seriously. Matt’s actions on and off the court speak highly of his character and he continues to be a role model and mentor for our underclassmen and future Boilermakers. Again, no one is more deserving of this award than Matt.”
Bouggy is the second Purdue men’s tennis player to receive the honor; Paul Rose was the first in 2004.
Purdue’s 2017 Sportsmanship Award Winners by Sport
Jaret Carpenter, Men’s Cross Country
Emma Benner, Women’s Cross Country
Jake Replogle, Football
Megan Kaser, Soccer
Faye Adelaja, Volleyball
Jon McKeeman, Men’s Basketball
Ae’Rianna Harris, Women’s Basketball
Alex Toetz, Men’s Swimming & Diving
Danielle Auckley, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Justin Veteto, Men’s Indoor Track & Field
Devynne Charlton, Women’s Indoor Track & Field
Ben Thornton, Wrestling
Hayden Grant, Baseball
Fernando Barco, Men’s Golf
Marta Martin, Women’s Golf
Erika Beeler, Softball
Matt Bouggy, Men’s Tennis
Andjela Djokovic, Women’s Tennis
Obokhare Ikpefan, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Devynne Charlton, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
Volleyball news courtesy of Purdue Athletics.
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