For Immediate Release
Saturday, February 24, 2018
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award
 
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – DJ Pollard of Northern State University repeated as NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for men’s basketball.  Pollard was presented the award during the pregame of the NSIC/Sanford Health Men's Basketball quarterfinal game on Saturday at the Sanford Pentagon.  Pollard is one of three  Wolves to earn the Elite 18 Award, joining Sasha Hovind (NSIC Indoor Track & Field Championships last season and Cross Country this fall) and Joe Gomez (Wrestling last season).



Pollard is a senior majoring in biology and holds a 3.97 grade point average.  The St. Louis Park, Minnesota native started all 31games for the Wolves this season and leads the team in scoring at 12.7 points per game. His 4.5 rebounds ranks fourth on the teams and his 2.1 assists per game are third.  Pollard, who leads the team in minutes played, helped NSU to an NSIC Overall and North Division Championship.  Pollard ranks 20th all-time in scoring at Northern State with 1,417 total points and was recently named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District® Men's Basketball Team.

As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration, the NSIC Elite 18 Award was instituted to recognize the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the NSIC Championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The NSIC Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NSIC’s 18 Championships.

Selection Criteria
1. Academically the student-athlete has achieved at least a sophomore status as defined by his or her own institution.

2. Athletically the student-athlete is in his or her second year of competition at his or her current institution.

3. Athletically the student-athlete is an active member on the roster and a member of the designated squad size for the sport at the championship site.

4. A student-athlete may win the award only once per academic year even if she or he participates in more than one sport.

5. Grade point average is based on the cumulative grade point average at the time of nomination as calculated by each institution. Grade point average calculations will be based on a 4.00 scale and will be reported to two decimal places.

6. In the event of a tie based on grade point average, the award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest total number of credit hours earned.

7. If a tie still exists after looking at the total number of credit hours earned, all student-athletes who are tied shall be presented with the NSIC Elite 18 Award.