Now in its 74th year, the Ohio Valley Conference continues to build on the success that has made it the nation's eighth-oldest NCAA Division I conference. Over those 74 years the League has inspired student-athletes to realize their academic aspirations, maximize their athletics potential, and cultivate their leadership skills to prepare them for life beyond their collegiate experience.
As part of a new partnership with
Marriott Bonvoy, each week through the the academic year, we will honor an OVC student-athlete who has excelled in the classroom, in addition to earning accolades on the playing surface.
This week's honoree is Eastern Illinois third-year running back
Jaelin Benefield. This past year he was named to the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll for his work in the classroom. He was named to the OVC All-Newcomer as a true freshman in 2019. This year he made his season debut last week and led the Panthers in rushing.
#OVCinspires
OVC Student-Athletes of the Week presented by Marriott Bonvoy
September 3 -
Colton Dowell, UT Martin
September 9 -
Kassidy Dexheimer, SIUE
September 16 -
Rachel Bradberry, Austin Peay
September 23 -
Aria Holmes, Tennessee State
September 30 -
LaMartez Brooks, Murray State
October 7 -
Grace Litzinger, Belmont
October 14 -
Lauren Welker, Southeast Missouri
October 21 -
Becca Fernandez, Murray State
October 28 -
Jaelin Benefield, Eastern Illinois