Lawrence's Chris Braier and Randolph-Macon's Megan Silva have been named the 2006 recipients of the Jostens Trophy. The award recognizes the outstanding male and female basketball players in Division III.
The winners were chosen by a national selection committee that consists of college coaches, former athletes, college administrators and selected members of the media. The members of the national selection committee cast their votes based on three criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess and community service.
Braier, a 6-4 senior forward, leads his team in scoring at 15.6 points per game as well as pulling down a team-high 12.4 rebounds. He has helped lead the Vikings to a perfect 25-0 overall record, a Midwest Conference title and a spot in this weekend's Sweet 16. Earlier this season, he became the first player in the 85-year history of the Midwest Conference to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds in a career.
A three-time Midwest All-Academic selection, Braier carries a 3.56 grade point average while majoring in biology. Away from campus, Braier works as a peer tutor at an elementary school and volunteers at a local Lawrence Catholic Church and retirement home. He is also actively involved in coaching various youth basketball teams.
Silva is a 5-6 senior guard who currently leads the nation in scoring, averaging 23 points per game. In 2005-06, she has led the Yellow Jackets (27-2) to their third Old Dominion Athletic Conference title in four years and currently has RMC on a 21-game win streak heading into sectional play this weekend.
For her career, Silva has amassed ODAC records for career points (2,324), assists (692) and steals (442). She is a three-time ODAC player of the year and a two-time All-American.
Silva has earned a 3.69 GPA while majoring in business/economics. A member of the Dean's List and school's honors program, Silva is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and serves as the school newspaper's business and advertising manager. Silva gives back to the community by running basketball clinics and giving individual instruction for underprivileged children during the summers as well as volunteering at a local church's nursery.