January 17, 2009

CEDAR RAPIDS , IOWA . . . The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today that former Wartburg College football player Kyle Duchman (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls) has been named the Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for the 2007-08 academic year.

"The Iowa Conference is filled with young men and women who excel in athletics, in their school work, and in life. Our 2008 Duane Schroeder Scholar-Athletes — Coe's Kristy Upah and Wartburg's Kyle Duchman — are shining examples,” Iowa Conference Commissioner Chuck Yrigoyen said. “They rose to earn their school's nomination and then received the well-deserved votes of the Faculty Athletics Representatives on the selection committee. This honor undoubtedly brings Kristy and Kyle great joy. I am grateful to both of them for their contributions and for the chance to show the quality of Iowa Conference student-athletes."

Duchman graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2008 with a 3.987 grade point average as a biology major with a chemistry minor. He was awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and produced a collaborative undergraduate student research project involving developmental responses to environmental factors. A three-time Iowa Conference All-Academic Team honoree, Duchman was also a three-time CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII selection and a two-time CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American®, garnering Second Team honors in 2006 and First Team honors in 2007. In addition, Duchman was a semifinalist for the Draddy Trophy, considered to be the “Academic Heisman,” awarded annually by the National Football Foundation to the player judged to possess the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. He was also one of 22 players selected to the 2006 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team. Duchman is currently attending the University of Iowa Medical School.

“Kyle is an excellent problem solver and is naturally inquisitive,” said Wartburg Assistant Professor of Biology and Pre-med advisor Edward Westen. “Perhaps Kyle’s strongest attribute is his interpersonal skills. He is equally adept as a leader and at carrying out tasks. He is warm and friendly and has the willingness and ability to help his peers without making them feel as though he is anything than just another member of the group. As physically demanding as football is, he never seemed tired. He was always friendly, energetic and eager.”

A member of Tri-Beta (biology) and Phi Eta Sigma (first-year students) honor societies, Duchman served as a lab assistant for both physics and anatomy & physiology, as well as a supplemental instructor in genetics during his time at Wartburg. He also volunteered his time as an emergency room patient assistant at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, a surgery desk volunteer at Waverly Health Center, and a Wartburg College vocational retreat coordinator.

“Kyle achieved great things both academically and athletically during his career as an undergraduate student at Wartburg,” said former Wartburg head football coach Eric Koehler. ”He has shown the proven qualities of leadership, determination, and discipline that would make any individual successful. The unique combination of his academic achievements, engagement in community service, leadership among his peers, and quality of play in football were at the highest level I have ever seen.”

Duchman earned four varsity letters in football at Wartburg, graduating as one of the most prolific receivers in program history. During his career, Duchman caught 148 passes for 1501 yards and 11 touchdowns, ranking third all-time at Wartburg in receptions. His 61 receptions as a sophomore in 2005 rank second all-time on the Knights’ single-season reception chart. A member of the Wartburg Football Unity Council in both his junior and senior years, he was selected as a team captain for his senior campaign. Following his senior season, he received honorable mention recognition from the league’s coaches when the All-Iowa Conference Football Team was announced.

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 2007-08 Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year were former Central College basketball player Brett DeHoogh (Clive, Iowa/West Des Moines Valley), former Coe College basketball player Brian Brungard (Dunkerton, Iowa/Dunkerton), former Loras College wrestler Jason (Jay) Figgins (Clinton, Iowa/Clinton), and former Luther College cross country and track & field athlete Matthew Busche (Wauwatosa, Wis./Wauwatosa).

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), Adam Duerfeldt (2005-06, Central College baseball), and Adam Bohach (2006-07, Luther College cross country and track & field).

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