Carbondale, Ill. – Junior Alexis Rudd was named to the 2024 Spring State Farm MVC Good Neighbor Award list as announced by the league office Wednesday afternoon. Rudd is in her third season with the Salukis, making a positive impact both on and off the field in the Southern Illinois community. The Missouri Valley Conference created the award in an effort to honor the achievements of 12 exceptional student-athletes.
This year’s Spring honorees include Sam Kirkpatrick, Belmont, Baseball; Mara Flaherty, Bradley, Women’s Golf; Savannah Ming, Drake, Women’s Outdoor Track and Field; Brooke McCorkle, Evansville, Softball; Brooke Beyer ,UIC, Women’s Golf; Ali Schrock, Illinois State, Women’s Golf; Jackson Krieg, Indiana State, Men’s Outdoor Track and Field; Kayla Pfitzner, Missouri State, Women’s Golf; Natalie Slezakova, Murray State, Tennis; Griffin Parker, Northern Iowa, Men’s Golf; Alexis Rudd, Southern Illinois, Softball; Kayla Skapyak, Valparaiso, Softball.
Rudd has been named to the MVC Honor Roll at the conclusion of each of her first two collegiate seasons as well as making the Dean’s List twice. She has been an integral part of the Salukis’ success in the classroom as SIU has been ranked in the Top 25 Highest GPA in D1 Softball the last two seasons, including the third highest team GPA a season ago.
Alexis also received the MVC Commissioners Academic Excellence Award in 2022-23.
Community service has been a large part of Rudd’s time at SIU as well. She has done a good portion of her work focusing on mental health and highlighting mental health awareness through the Green Bandana Project and has been a part of the Saluki Athletics Academics staff who have organized other mental health awareness activities.
Combining a passion for community service with her love of softball, Rudd also helped volunteer at the Students vs Supporters softball game hosted by Southern Illinois Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office in 2023.
Alexis Rudd is the first Saluki softball player to be named to the Spring State Farm MVC Good Neighbor Award list since Mallory Duran-Sellers in 2010.
