July 6, 2010

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - A trio of Northern Illinois women's golfers were named to the National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar Team, the organization announced Tuesday.

"We have a wonderful mix that really reflects the academic support that our Huskie student-athletes get," head coach Pam Tyska said.

The group is headlined by senior Kim Hunley (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora), NIU's record holder for career stroke average. She is joined on the team by sophomore Kelsie Passolt (Hayward, Wis./Hayward) and freshman Allie Parthie (Marinetta, Wis./Marinetta).

"I am so glad Kim was able to achieve that Scholar All-American status her final year," Tyska said. "It shows how hard she worked athletically and academically in her career."

Tyska also expressed pride in Passolt and Parthie's on and off-the-course performance. For Passolt, it's the second time she has made the team in as many seasons with the Hukies.

"Kelsie is one of the elite few that have repeated from her freshman year on," Tyska said. "As a freshman, Allie has notched her first and is eligible to make the sweep for her four years."

The strict requirements for the award include student-athletes holding at least a 3.50 grade point average for the entirety of their college careers, have competed in 50 percent or more of their teams tournaments in the year of the nomination, and be of high moral character and good standing at their institution.

The newest honorees bring NIU's total count of NGCA All-American Scholars to 19 all-time. Three selections to the NCGA All-American Scholar Team is the most Northern Illinois has earned since 1997, when four players made the team.