INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – David Ecker, most recently a member of the USF Track & Field and Cross Country team, was awarded a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship announced by the committee earlier this week. Ecker becomes just the second University of Sioux Falls student athlete to receive this honor followed by the late Bill Brockmueller in 2015.

Ecker wrapped up his career at USF with a 17^th place finish at the 2023 Outdoor Track & Field Championships this past May. Throughout his career with the Coo, Ecker is an eight-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence award recipient as well as a five-time D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award honoree. He's been named to the NSIC Elite 18 team and also earned the 2023 NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic Award. At the 2023 USF Spirit of Excellence Awards Ecker was recognized as an Honors Program Graduate, and received the Representative Man Award as well as the Outstanding Psychology Senior of the Year honor.

In order for student-athletes to be eligible for this scholarship, they must meet the following criteria and be nominated by the institutions Faculty Athletics Representative.

• Must be in final season of NCAA athletics eligibility or must have completed athletic eligibility,
• Must be in final year of undergraduate academic work or received an undergraduate degree.
• Have an overall undergraduate minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.200 (based on a 4.000 scale) or its equivalent, including all undergraduate hours earned at all undergraduate institutions attended. The grade-point average may not include any graduate-level hours.
• Have performed with distinction as a varsity team member in the sport in which the student-athlete is being nominated. The degree of the student-athlete's athletics achievement will be weighed in conjunction with academic performance, institutional involvement, and volunteer community service. Nominators and individuals submitting recommendations should note participation in activities in which the student-athlete serves as an example to other students and demonstrates leadership qualities.
• Must enroll in a graduate degree granting program on a part- or full-time basis at an academically accredited graduate or degree-granting professional school.
• Must be enrolled in a graduate degree granting program within one-year after the academic year the scholarship was awarded.  All funds must be used within the same academic year.
• The scholarship cannot be used to fund any undergraduate work.
• Are outstanding citizens and excellent role models for the institution and intercollegiate athletics.

Next year Ecker will be attending the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program.

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