December 10, 2007

CEDAR RAPIDS , IOWA . . . The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today that former Luther College cross country and track and field athlete Adam Bohach (Spillville, Iowa/South Winneshiek) has been named the Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for the 2006-07 academic year.

“When reviewing the amazing accomplishments of these two outstanding individuals, one has an overriding sense of respect and humility for all that Adam and Abby [Erion of Loras College] have achieved at such a young age," Iowa Conference Commissioner John T. Cochrane said. "They have an understanding of the value of commitment to success and service to others to which most of us can only aspire, and serve as ambassadors for everything that Iowa Conference institutions are trying to facilitate and instill in the young women and men participating in our athletic programs. I congratulate them for being selected by our Faculty Athletic Representatives for the highest honor that the Conference can bestow and thank them for allowing us to be a part of their lives for the past four years.”

Bohach graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2007 with a 3.79 grade point average as a biology major. He produced a senior project involving VO₂, lactic acid, and cortisol levels in endurance trained athletes, and was awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, he was also named to the Iowa Conference All-Academic Team three times each for cross country and track and field and was a three-time recipient of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Award for cross country. Bohach enlisted in the Peace Corps following graduation and is currently in the early months of a two-year commitment as a teacher in South Africa where he is assisting high-need students and working with native teachers to improve their skills as educators.

"Adam demonstrated strong academic skills and excellent recall. In the laboratory, Adam demonstrated he possessed excellent knowledge of methods and procedures with an attention for detail," Luther College Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education Brian Solberg said. "Adam has excellent leadership skills and is capable of working effectively in a group or independently. His willingness to show and provide feedback to other students in a laboratory setting was excellent. His leadership came naturally as he explained the steps of a procedure or assisted students in performing skills. After class, he would have questions that indicated he was integrating information for other courses and experiences. Adam was truly enjoyable to have in class and an asset to his classmates."

"Much in the way athletes set performance goals, he expressed a commitment he had made to try and make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate." Luther Associate Professor of Management Rob K. Larson added.

During his time at Luther, Bohach served as a tutor and mentor in the Upward Bound program and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. He was also a member of Honor Council, serving as that organization's chairperson during the 2005-06 academic year. Bohach also volunteered his time mentoring younger runners in the Decorah area and spent time working with special-needs students.

"I had the opportunity to observe Adam with significant contact in both athletic and social mediums. Adam stood out from the rest as the natural leader to his teammates, whether appointed or not. Teammates and peers were drawn to his energy and desire for excellence," Luther cross country coach Steve Pasche said. "As a focused intellect and athlete, he demonstrated awareness of, and concern for, social dynamics on our teams. Adam is an excellent communicator and has become a local hero, offering encouragement to young runners in the area. There exists humility in this hero that finds great delight in taking time to inspire our youth. One can be on a mission both inside and outside sport. This characteristic permeates many aspects of his lifestyle, from leading teams to the national championships, to befriending youth in the community, ot improving the quality of life for teenagers in a South African village."

Bohach earned All-Conference honors four times in cross country, finishing in the top eight at the IIAC Championships during each of his four years. His best effort was a runner-up effort his junior year. He also ran to All-Central Region (top 35) honors three times and was a two-time competitor at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. He placed 109th competing as an individual his junior year and earned All-America honors with a 30th-place finish in his final collegiate race. He led the Norse to a sixth-place team finish at the NCAA meet his senior year. Although his efforts on the track were limited throughout his career due to injuries, Bohach earned All-Iowa Conference honors in the 3000-meter steeplechase in 2003. He was elected team captain by his peers twice each in cross country and track and field.

The Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award was first presented in December 2001 for the 2000-01 academic year. To be eligible for nomination, a student-athlete shall have graduated or exhausted their athletic eligibility during the academic year for which the award is given. He must have demonstrated a high level of accomplishment and achievement in a varsity sport, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), and show evidence of scholarly achievements, community service involvement and leadership.

The Duane Schroeder IIAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards are named in honor of the late Duane Schroeder, the former Wartburg College sports information director. Schroeder served as Wartburg’s SID for 43 years until his retirement in 2000. Upon his retirement from his sports information duties, he was named SID Emeritus and served as Wartburg’s News Director until 2001. During much of his four decades at Wartburg, Schroeder served as the IIAC’s secretary and treasurer.

Also nominated for the 2006-07 Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year were former Central football player and track and field athlete Ben Bollard (Pella, Iowa/Pella) and former Wartburg College soccer player Jon Hinke (Eagan, Minn./Eastview).

Previous recipients of the Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year include Tim Vinyard (2000-01, Coe College football and baseball), Dale Biser (2001-02, Cornell College football and track), Jesse Harris (2002-03, Simpson College basketball), Brent Showalter (2003-04, Wartburg College track), Garrett South (2004-05, Luther College wrestling), and Adam Duerfeldt (2005-06, Central College baseball).

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