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| Ashlyn Burke |
Kyle Laker |
Kalamazoo Valley
Community College
Athletic News Release
October 1, 2007
The 2007 recipients of the prestigious Dale B. Lake
Presidential Award have been named. This
award is a yearly endeavor that honors KVCC’s founding President, Dale B. Lake,
by giving annual recognition to outstanding student-athletes at KVCC. Exceptional academic achievement, outstanding
athletic contribution, and evidence of uncommon leadership and character are among
the criteria for this award.
This year the lady recipient is Ashlyn Burke. The male recipient is Kyle Laker.
While at Portage
Northern High
School, Ashlyn
earned MVP, Conference, Region, and Honorable Mention All State honors
under former Huskie coach Jack Magelssen.
She also sported a 3.99 GPA through high school. Her accumulative GPA at KVCC was a sparkling
3.87, a feat that has earned her Distinguished Academic All American by Sport
status with the NJCAA. Ashlyn’s talents
also helped the Cougar women’s volleyball team win the Western Conference
Championship, compiling a 12-0 overall record.
Coach Jason Reese
comments that “Ashlyn demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in her two
seasons at KVCC. Players with her great
work ethic and passion for the game don’t come along every year. She has truly been a special player, richly
deserving the First Team Division II All-American honor she received.”
Ashlyn was a Co-Captain on her KVCC squad and has accepted
an athletic scholarship to attend Western
Michigan University
to continue her education and athletic career.
She was accepted in the Western Michigan University School of Business
where she is pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree.
Kyle Laker is the 2007 male recipient of the Dale B. Lake
Award. Kyle is a graduate of Wayland Union High School
where he participated in basketball and track while earning a 3.8 GPA. Kyle
finished 2nd in the MHSAA Class B State track meet, high jumping
6’9.
Kyle has continued his academic excellence, earning a 3.67
GPA in 56 hours at KVCC. His academic
work has earned him Academic All Conference, All State,
and All American honors. Starting in 27
games, Kyle helped his 2006-07 squad to an 18-12
record, leading the Cougars in rebounding while chipping in 8 points per
contest.
Kyle was a regular participant in KVCC’s
Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ huddle.
Coach Dick Shilts remarked, “Kyle’s integrity,
character, and dependability make him an deserving
recipient of this prestigious award.”
Each recipient will be presented with a plaque signifying
this honor, and their names will be engraved on a large plaque revealing the
names of previous winners. The plaque is
currently on display in the KVCC athletic office.
