Valley Names its Top Two Student-Athletes for 2024

The highest honor that Kalamazoo Valley Community College bestows on a student-athlete - the coveted annual Dale B. Lake Award - this year goes to two graduating Cougars who were standouts in their individual sports as well as in the classroom. Rylie Glass excelled on the volleyball team and Kevin Krill on the baseball team.

Glass managed to maintain a 3.71 grade point average while serving as captain of the volleyball team this past season. She received her associate degree in general studies in April. Glass, who majored in nursing, plans to finish nursing school at Madonna University in Livonia, where she will also play volleyball.

Krill held a 4.0 GPA during his time at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He also graduated in April; he received an associate degree in science. He will play for the Kalamazoo Growlers again this summer. He is weighing several offers to play baseball at a four-year school and hopes to decide soon.

"Both Rylie Glass and Kevin Krill proved their merit for this award in the classroom and on their respective field of play," Athletic Director Russ Panico said. "Undoubtedly, both will be successful in their future endeavors."

Each year, Valley recognizes one outstanding female and one outstanding male student-athlete with the Dale B. Lake Award, named after the college's founding president. The award program began in 1970. Special consideration is given to exceptional academic achievement, in addition to outstanding athletic contribution. Qualities such as leadership, loyalty, enthusiasm, reliability and initiative are also evaluated.

Glass was voted Most Valuable Player of Valley's volleyball team this season. She also stands out for having earned Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Honorable Mention All-Western Conference for two consecutive years. The Three Rivers High School grad's other accolades include Team and Individual Academic All-State; Three Rivers Commercial Athlete of the Week; 2021 St. Joseph County Volleyball Dream Team; and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic All-Conference.

"She has set a great example of perseverance, responsibility and dedication in the classroom and on the court," said Head Volleyball Coach Rhonda Sturgeon, who nominated Glass. "Rylie's perseverance, work ethic and love for the game kept the volleyball program alive when the search for a new coach was taking place. Rylie made sure that the team participated in their spring community service project and was the key communicator between myself, returning players and the incoming freshmen. She was also a great sounding board for the new incoming staff."

Glass also was the only setter for the majority of the season. "Rylie was our quarterback, running plays and earning the trust of her teammates. She was able to stay mentally strong while playing with poise," Sturgeon added.

Head Baseball Coach Steve Bennecke said he nominated Krill because he exceeded expectations on the field and in the classroom. Krill, a transfer student from Oakland University, played catcher and utility positions this season. In 45 games played, he had 52 hits, nine doubles, three home runs, 35 RBIs, .510 OBP and .361 batting average. Krill was over 30 as a catcher. "The leadership he has displayed for our team is second to none," Bennecke said. "He is one of the top performers on the field for the 2024 team and his leadership behind the plate has helped his younger teammates excel on the mound. In the classroom, Kevin showed extreme dedication to his schoolwork."

Bennecke describes Krill's leadership on the field as "a lead-by-example type of guy." "He is one of the hardest-working kids and would never say no to helping a teammate on or off the field," Bennecke said.

"He would come in early or stay late no matter how exhausted he was. He never complained about anything this season - just put his head down and worked hard."

Every spring, Kalamazoo Valley asks coaches to nominate one individual from their team to the athletic director for consideration for the Dale B. Lake Award. The athletic director then chooses one male and one female award winner. Although an exceptional first year student-athlete, with appropriate supporting data, could be selected for this award, sophomores who have made such contributions for two years are given priority consideration.

Each winner receives a plaque and will be added to the Dale B. Lake plaque displayed within the Athletic office at Kalamazoo Valley.