Lindsey Schmidt Receives Thurston Banks Award from the Ohio Valley Conference

Lindsey Schmidt Receives Thurston Banks Award from the Ohio Valley Conference

April 5, 2024, 2:00 AM

SIUE Athletics Academic Advisor Lindsey Schmidt has been named one of the recipients of the 2024 Ohio Valley Conference Thurston Banks Award for Distinguished Academic Service.

Eastern Illinois' Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Jim Davis is the other recipient.

The award, selected by the OVC Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs), was established in 2013 to recognize individuals (e.g. academic advisor, professor, tutor, etc.), with at least five years of service at one or more OVC member institutions, for their outstanding contributions to OVC student-athletes' academic success, learning and development as well for his or her overall commitment to the institution's athletics program.

The award is named after Dr. Thurston Banks, who served the Tennessee Tech Department of Athletics for 31 of his 34 years on the faculty and served as the Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) for 25 years before stepping down in 2006. He was inducted into the OVC Hall of Fame in 2007.

"In our field, FARs are the ultimate expression of collaboration and community," Schmidt said. "I am filled with joy and gratitude that this group, which represents such firm values and esteem, would recognize my efforts and contributions."

Schmidt has served the SIUE Department of Athletics as an academic advisor since 2008. Her focus includes advising student-athletes in areas such as career and leadership development, campus resource acquisition, and class schedule planning. Her work does not stop at academic advising, as she has worked with the Student-Athlete Advising Committee (SAAC) to shine light on the importance of the student-athletes' presence within game time and in the community.

She initiated the Leadership Development Academy at SIUE that selects student-athletes to expand their leadership abilities and increase team performance yearly. Her work has played a big part in SIUE having a streak of 35 semesters of having a departmental GPA over 3.0.

"Congratulations to Lindsey Schmidt on receiving the OVC's Thurston Banks Award," said Andrew Gavin, Director of Athletics. "Lindsey consistently pours into our student-athletes and ensures they have the support and resources they need to be successful academically. The continued academic excellence of our high-achieving student-athletes is in part due to Lindsey's behind-the-scenes effort and commitment."

Schmidt was a volleyball student-athlete at UT Martin (1999-03). She graduated with a degree in psychology and earned her master's degree in sports exercise and behavior from SIUE in 2009.

"Many years ago now, I was a student-athlete competing in the OVC," Schmidt said. "I fondly remember those athletic administrators and professors who encouraged me and supported our team. Having that personal connection with them made all the difference in my expansion and experience as a student-athlete. Every day I strive to carry on their legacy and pass on the gifts they so generously gave me."

Schmidt is the second SIUE recipient of the award, following Deputy Athletic Director Jaci DeClue, who received the award in 2022.