DWU's Ady Dwight named winner of NAIA's Duer Award as top student-athlete
Sep. 15—MITCHELL — Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball standout Ady Dwight has been selected as the NAIA's 2023 A.O. Duer Award female winner.
The award is given to a junior student-athlete from the 2022-23 school year. The criteria for the award includes a minimum 3.75 cumulative GPA, scholarship, high character, quality citizenship and high level of play on the court or field. The winner receives a $1,000 scholarship from the NAIA.
A three-time NAIA All-American and two-time academic All-America selection, Dwight has been a critical player in leading the turnaround of the Tigers' volleyball program, reaching the NAIA national tournament in each of the last two seasons, including the quarterfinals in 2022.
Dwight, a native of Langford who is pursuing a career in nursing, has volunteered for a number of community service projects, including working youth volleyball camps as a counselor; the Glass Slipper organization; Angel Tree organization; Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce; South Dakota Special Olympics and South Dakota Rural Experiences for Health Professions Students initiative. Dwight also works for a memory care unit at Edgewood Healthcare in Mitchell.
"I owe it to (Faculty Athletic Representative), Joel Reinesch, Jon Hart, Coach Lindsay Wilber and President Daniel Kittle for their continued support and help in receiving this award," Dwight said. "It's been a blessing to be surrounded by individuals who care so much about the student-athletes at Dakota Wesleyan and me personally."
"Ady has worked hard both academically and athletically to be the best version of what a college athlete represents during her time here at Dakota Wesleyan University. This award could not be presented to a better individual," said Wilber, who is the DWU volleyball coach.
The awards luncheon and ceremony will be during the 2024 NAIA National Convention in Kansas City, Mo., which takes place April 5-9, 2024.
Dwight is the fourth national winner of the Duer Award in DWU history, joining Stacy Nicolaisen (1989), Danielle Bellet (2011) and Jeff Schuch (2021).
