Corban's Kellen Luey has been named the NAIA's A.O. Duer Scholarship Award winner for 2015.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced on Tuesday that Corban University men's soccer defender Kellen Luey (Beaverton, Ore.) has been selected as the recipient of the A.O. Duer Scholarship Award. For Corban, Luey is the first student-athlete in school history to receive the esteemed award.
"Kellen continues to make an impact on the field, in the classroom, and within lives in our community," said Corban head men's soccer coach Aaron Lewis. "We are very proud of what he has done here at Corban, and are appreciative of how he has represented us during his time here. It is enjoyable for all of the players and staff within the program to see him get recognized in such a special way for the work he has put in."
The Duer Award is presented to one male and one female student-athlete each year in any sport who have excelled in scholarship, character, citizenship, and playing ability. In order to be nominated for the prestigious scholarship, the student-athlete had to be certified by the registrar as having an overall GPA of at least 3.75, must have attained at least junior standing academically, and should have displayed scholarship, character, citizenship, and playing ability.
As a member of the Warrior defense that ranks first overall in the NAIA in shutouts per game (1.0) and second in overall shutouts (4), Luey is a part of the backline that boasts a goals-against-average of 0.00 in 2015. On top of his playing ability, he owns a cumulative 4.0 GPA during his time at Corban, and in 2014 was recognized as a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) First Team Academic All-American. Luey plans to attend Law School in 2016.
"The Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) wishes to congratulate Corban University student-athlete Kellen Luey on his 2015 A.O. Duer Award," stated CCC Commissioner Rob Cashell. "Kellen's achievements academically and his efforts in character and servant leadership initiatives are a shining example of what a single individual can accomplish. The entire CCC celebrates with Kellen and his family for this well-deserved honor."
While coming highly recommended from staff, faculty, and community representatives, Luey demonstrates what it means to be a Corban student-athlete, both on and off the field at Corban. While maintaining his perfect grades in the classroom, he's managed his academic and athletic pursuits while serving as a Resident Assistant on campus, leading not only on the soccer field, but in the classroom. As one of the campus leaders, Luey also spoke publicly at various events and served as the Warrior basketball play-by-play broadcaster.
In the recent year outside of the Corban campus limits, Luey served as a volunteer for Prison Fellowship Bible Study at the Oregon State Correctional Institution, serving as an active member for a year. While teaching specific Bible lessons and discussing issues with the inmates, Luey serves as a role model for the inmates in the prison.
Luey also has helped in a local food bank, city parks, and community gardens during each of the last two seasons while also setting aside time during the summer to come back to campus to help staff a youth regional soccer tournament.
"I would like to sincerely thank the NAIA for selecting me as the A.O. Duer Scholarship Award recipient," said Luey. "Although this is an individual award, I couldn't have accomplished this without incredible support. I have been fortunate to play with an amazing group of teammates as well as being coached and mentored by dedicated athletic and academic departments. Without their support, this achievement would not have been possible."
The 2015 A.O. Duer Scholarship Award female recipient is Leah Esposito from Carroll College.
Luey will officially receive the award at the NAIA Awards Luncheon on April 18, 2016 at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.