Rush Receives Wayne Duke Award from Big Ten

INDIANAPOLIS – Cody Rush of the Nebraska track and field team and Minnesota gymnast Lindsay Mable have been chosen as the 2016 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award recipients by the Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership. The award is an annual scholarship recognizing one male and one female Big Ten senior pursuing a postgraduate degree for achievements in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities and leadership.

In recognition of the Big Ten’s leadership in fully integrating athletics into the academic mission of its member institutions, the Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership initiated the Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award in 2008. Each Big Ten institution was asked to nominate one male and one female student for 2016, with a $10,000 scholarship awarded to each winner.

The Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award is named for the former Big Ten Conference commissioner who served from 1971-89. While leading the Big Ten, Duke spent much of his time working to improve academic standards and graduation rates for students competing in conference athletics. The award is made possible by donations from local corporations and individuals supporting intercollegiate athletics. The Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership is comprised of the State of Indiana, City of Indianapolis, Indiana Sports Corp, Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Visit Indy.

Rush is competing in track and field at Nebraska and will graduate in May with a degree in nutrition science. In his final undergraduate semester, Rush boasts a 3.931 GPA and plans to attend the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry after graduation. The senior from Grand Island, Neb., is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athlete-2-Athlete Mentors and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Rush is a four-time USTFCCCA first-team All-American, two-time All-Big Ten honoree, an Academic All-America selection and a two-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient. Rush is Nebraska’s fifth Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award honoree in the last four years.

In the community, Rush has volunteered to speak with elementary students about topics including academics, college life and teamwork, while also assisting with numerous elementary school events and fundraisers. He has also volunteered his time to the Belmont Community Center, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, People’s City Mission Free Clinic, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Husker Heroes.

A Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree, Rush hopes to return to rural Nebraska upon receiving his dentistry degree to run his own practice and get involved and make an impact in the community.

Rush and Mable will be recognized in Indianapolis during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinals on Friday, March 11.

Previous Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Recipients:
2015: Campbell Sode, Rutgers, men’s lacrosse; Jessica Plant, Minnesota, women’s swimming

2014: Spencer Long, Nebraska, football; Emily Wong, Nebraska, women’s gymnastics

2013: Sean Fisher, Nebraska, football; Katelyn White, Nebraska, women’s cross country and track and field

2012: Miguel Pineda, Penn State, men’s gymnastics; Margaux Farrell, Indiana, women’s swimming

2011: Mike Torchia, Minnesota, men’s cross country and track and field; Allie Smith, Purdue, women’s swimming

2010: Mark Ison, Northwestern, football; Chelsea Davis, Ohio State, women’s diving

2009: Drew Ratner, Northwestern, men’s soccer; Lauren Mioton, Purdue, women’s basketball

2008: Kevin Trulock, Indiana, football; Molly Crispell, Penn State, women’s swimming