WHAC Announces 2025 NAIA Awards Day Nominees
The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) has announced its nominees for a number of awards for the NAIA National Awards Day. Nine different individuals were either nominated by their host institution, or selected by a committee of their peers within the conference to represent the WHAC at the national level. All of these award winners have been submitted to the NAIA and will be on the national ballot among other conference representatives across the country. National Award winners will be announced by the NAIA on Sept. 15.
A. O. Duer Scholarship Award
Named in honor of the NAIA's former executive secretary, the A.O. Duer Scholarship Award recognizes one male and one female junior student-athlete who has excelled in scholarship, character, and citizenship.
Marisa Fetterley (UM-Dearborn) - Female Nominee
A Health and Human Services major, Fetterley has proven herself as a standout both on the volleyball court as well as in the classroom and the campus community. Fetterley was selected to the WHAC All-Freshman team in 2023, and was named to the WHAC All-Academic Team in 2025. She also serves as the Co-Preseident of the UM-Dearborn SAAC and gives back to the local community as a youth volleyball coach.
Brett Leidal (UM-Dearborn) - Male Nominee
A Political Science major and member of the Men's Cross Country Team, Brett Leidal was chosen as the WHAC's Male Nominee for the A. O. Duer Scholarship. Leidal is the 8k school record holder on the course and excels both in the classroom and in the community. He earned second-team all-WHAC honors in 2024 and has twice been named the team MVP. Leidal also has twice earned WHAC All-Academic team honors and serves on the advisory board of the UM-Dearbon SAAC.
Emil S. Liston Award
Named in honor of the NAIA's first executive secretary and the prime mover behind the men's basketball tournament, the Emil Liston Scholarship Award recognizes one junior men's and one junior women's basketball student-athlete who has shown high athletic and academic achievement.
Taylor Covington (Indiana Tech) - Female Nominee
A dual major with a 3.83 GPA in Financial Services and Accounting and a standout on the basketball court, Taylor Covington was selected as the Female Emil S. Liston nominee for the WHAC. On the court, Covington was named the WHAC Newcomer of the Year in 2023 and earned Player of the Year honors in 2025. That goes along with an All-Defensive Team nod (2025) and First Team All-Conference accolades (2023-25). These honors culminated with Second Team All-American honors following the 2025 season. She has also twice earned All-WHAC Academic honors. Off the court, Covington serves on the Undergraduate Student Advisory Board for the College of Business and has volunteered with the Red Cross, DSANI BUddy Walk, the Crush Hunger 5k and the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
Blake Stewart (Cornerstone) - Male Nominee
A Business major with a 3.92 GPA and a standout for the Cornerstone basketball team, Blake Stewart was the WHAC's male nominee for the Emil S. Liston Award. Stewart averaged 13.5 points on 58% shooting to earn Second Team All-WHAC honors a season ago. He has also twice earned WHAC All-Academic honors. His efforts as a starter helped lead Cornerstone to a WHAC tournament title and NAIA National Championship berth in 2025.
Dr. LeRoy Walker Student-Athlete of Character Award
Named in honor of the former NAIA and U.S. Olympic Committee president, the Dr. Leroy Walker Award recognizes outstanding student-athletes for their academics, athletics, leadership, and dedication to living the core values of Champions of Character®. This award was created in association with the National Sports Foundation.
Abigail Bandstra (Cornerstone)
A standout women's basketball player and team leader, Abigail Bandstra was selected as the WHAC's LeRoy Walker Student-Athlete of Character. Bandstra was a WHAC All-Academic Team honoree and won honors on her campus such as: the SALT Award, Champion of Character and the Golden Eagle Award. She serves her campus community as the SALT secretary, a Freshman Orientation Volunteer, Younglife Volunteer and a Sunday School Leader. Her efforts as both a student and an athlete have made an immeasurable impact at Cornerstone.
Athletics Director of the Year
Jessie Biggs (Indiana Tech)
Athletic Trainer of the Year
Kasey Ficken (Concordia University-Ann Arbor)
Sports Information Director of the Year
Matt Korte (Concordia University-Ann Arbor)
Coach of Character Award
Jessica Yonkers (Cornerstone)