Butler's Howard, Valparaiso's Varner Honored as U.S. Army Scholar-Athletes of the Week

Jan. 8, 2009

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler University basketball player Matt Howard and Valparaiso University basketball player Ashley Varner have been named U.S. Army Horizon League Scholar-Athletes of the Week for the week ending Jan. 4, League commissioner Jonathan B. LeCrone announced Thursday (Jan. 8).


Howard (Connersville, Ind./Connersville), a sophomore forward, averaged 17.5 points and three rebounds in a pair of Butler victories last week that pushed the Bulldogs' record to 12-1 (3-0 Horizon League). He scored 19 points, including 15 in the second half, in Butler's come-from behind victory over the University of Alabama-Birmingham Dec. 30 and netted a team-high 16 at Valparaiso Jan. 3. Howard made 9-of-11 field-goal attempts and 17-of-21 free throws in the two games. Butler is ranked 20th in this week's ESPN-USA Today poll and 21st in the Associated Press Top 25.


In the classroom, Howard carries a 3.63 grade-point average as a finance major. He was named to the Butler Athletic Director's Honor Roll as a freshman in 2007-08.


Varner (South Bend, Ind./Washington), a sophomore forward, averaged 9.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in a 2-1 week for Valparaiso (6-6, 1-1 Horizon League). She tied her career high with 14 points in an 86-43 League victory over Youngstown State University Jan. 3 after tying her career high in rebounds with nine against the University of North Florida Dec. 30. For the season, Varner is averaging 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest.


A psychology major, Varner owns a 3.7 grade-point average at Valparaiso. She has been named to Valpo's Dean's List each of her first three semesters.


The Horizon League instituted the U.S. Army Scholar-Athlete of the Week awards as a way to recognize outstanding academic and athletic achievement by its student-athletes. To be eligible for the honor, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20 or better (on a 4.00 scale), have completed at least one year at the member institution, passed 24 semester or 36 quarter hours and perform well during the week's competition. Winners are selected by a group of League faculty athletic representatives, from nominations provided by sports information directors.

OTHER MEN'S NOMINEES:
Aric Van Weelden, Loyola (basketball, 3.55, junior, business)

OTHER WOMEN'S NOMINEES:
Elyse VanBogaert, Loyola (basketball, 3.71, junior, music)