Kansas City, Mo. - The MIAA announced today that Southwest Baptist University track and field athlete, Bill Shell, has been named a 2012-13 Ken B. Jones Award Finalist. Shell is one of three male finalists, and is the only junior to be named a finalist on either the men's or women's side. The winner will be announced at the annual MIAA Awards Ceremony, which is set for June 6 at the Kansas City Public Library-Plaza Branch in Kansas City, Mo.

The award, which is in its 20th year, is named in honor of the man who served as the MIAA's first full-time commissioner for 16 years. Jones retired in 1997 and passed away in May 2004. He was inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame in the inaugural Class of 2010.

A 16-member panel of athletics directors, senior woman administrators, faculty athletics representatives and sports information directors – including a representative from each member institution – selects the finalists. Each nominee is judged in four areas: 2012-13 Athletics Accomplishments; 2012-13 Academic Accomplishments; 2012-13 Campus/Community Service; and Career Athletics, Academics and Service Achievements.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average as of April 1, and must have completed at least their junior season of eligibility in the 2012-13 academic year.

Bill Shell
Track and Field
Southwest Baptist
Jr., Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Major: Athletic Training
GPA: 4.0

2012-13 Athletic Accomplishments (45%):
Indoor Track & Field All-American in 400 meter dash (4th place finish at Nationals)
Indoor Track & Field MIAA Champion in 400 meter dash
Outdoor Track & Field MIAA Champion in 400 meter dash
Indoor Track & Field All-Region (400 meter dash & Distance Medley Relay)
Outdoor Track & Field All-Region (400 meter dash)
Will qualify for NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 400 meter dash (currently ranked 8th in the NCAA, meet will occur on May 23-25)
Broke school records in 5 events (Indoor: 400 & 4x400 meter relay; Outdoor: 200, 400, & 4x100)

2012-13 Academic Accomplishments (25%):
Elite 89 Winner for NCAA Men's Indoor Track & Field Championship
Will earn MIAA Academic Excellence Award when released this summer
Will earn MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award when released this summer
Will earn MIAA Academic Honor Roll when released this summer
Will be named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track & Field team when released this summer
Carries a 4.0 GPA in Athletic Training

2012-13 Campus/Community Service (15%):
Active member of SAAC
Participated in fundraising for Make-A-Wish Foundation through selling bracelets and t-shirts
Volunteered at former high school for a cleanup project and helped run a yard sale fundraiser
Volunteered first aid abilities during high school basketball games over Christmas break
Donated to help fund a mission trip to Kenya

Career Athletic, Academic and Service Accomplishments (15%):
Holds 7 SBU school records (Indoor: 400, 4x400; Outdoor: 200, 400, 4x100, 4x400, Sprint Medley Relay)
4x All-MIAA performer (Outdoor: 400; Indoor: 400(2x), Distance Medley Relay)
Ranked 36th on the NCAA performance list in the outdoor 400 meter dash in 2012
2x USTFCCCA All-Academic Track & Field Team
3x MIAA Academic Excellence Award winner, MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award winner, and MIAA Academic Honor Roll   
Helped clean and organize storage rooms and package gifts for underprivileged at St. Johns Hospital in 2012 and 2011
Volunteered first aid abilities during high school basketball games over Christmas break in 2011
Worked at sports camp teaching basketball skills and drills in summer 2011
Assisted in construction and cleanup of new church building in summer 2011
Volunteered at a food bank in fall 2010
3 Year member of SAAC