FERRIS' MOLLY POTVIN SELECTED AS HELEN BENNETT AWARD RECIPIENT

Women’s Basketball Senior Named School’s Outstanding Female Student-Athlete

Senior forward/center Molly Potvin is this year's FSU Helen Bennett Award recipient

The award, which is named in honor of late university faculty member Helen Bennett, is sponsored annually by the Ferris Professional Women’s (FPW) organization to a female senior student-athlete combining performance both in the classroom and athletics. Potvin, who will receive a $200 cash award, will be honored at Ferris State’s Commencement Breakfast slated to be held in FSU’s Rankin Center Friday, May 7, at 8 a.m. (EDT). The annual event, which honors current women graduating, will feature individual introductions of special guests and an address by the FPW Woman of the Year. Also recognized will be attending members of the Board of Trustees, President’s office and FPW officers for the coming year.

Bennett was the wife of longtime FSU golf and track coach Norm Bennett (1956-71), who began the award in her memory and was inducted into the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. He directed the building of FSU's Katke Golf Course and Ewigleben Ice Arena along with being instrumental in forming the nation's first Professional Golf Management program at Ferris State. Potvin is only the third women’s basketball player ever to receive the award, joining inaugural winner Sandy Davison (1986-87) and Karen Kramer (1987-88).

“Molly personifies the true spirit of the Helen Bennett Award,” said Carma Burcham, who serves as Ferris State Athletics’ Coordinator of Student Records and NCAA eligibility. “Not only is she talented in both the athletics arena and her academic endeavors, but more importantly in her attitude towards life.”

The 5-10 Potvin posted personal career-highs in points (340), rebounds (213), assists (66) and steals (47) while leading the Bulldogs to their second-ever NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament appearance during the 2003-04 campaign. Potvin, who was FSU’s 2002-03 Sixth Player Award winner, placed 10th this campaign among the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) leaders in rebounding (6.9 rpg), 16th in field goal percentage (.502) and 30th in scoring (11.0 ppg). She also ranked as the league’s seventh-leading defensive rebounder (5.03 pg) and tied for 15th in offensive rebounds (1.84 pg). The two-time (2003-04) GLIAC All-Academic Team member tallied 21 double-figure scoring performances and posted five double-double (points and rebounds) outings this season in addition to being the squad’s leading rebounder in 18 contests. She concluded her career tied for ninth in field goal percentage (.469; 229-488) and 11th in blocked shots (26) on FSU’s all-time leaders list. The two-time (2002-04) team captain netted 595 points, 398 rebounds and 114 assists in 87 career appearances.

Potvin compiled 153 points, 123 rebounds and 32 assists in 2002-03 while notching four double-figure scoring games. She was second in rebounding (4.6 rpg), fourth in steals (29) and fourth in field goal percentage (.451: 60-133) among Ferris’ 2002-03 leaders. Potvin, who appeared in only six games during the 2001-02 campaign before suffering a season-ending knee injury, totaled 69 points and 44 rebounds in her initial season (2000-01). She also helped Ferris achieve the nation’s second-highest team grade point average for the 2002-03 term and served as an FSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) member.

The Bulldogs, who concluded the year with a 21-10 overall record, compiled a second-place 14-4 GLIAC North Division mark this campaign and finished second in the league's 2003-04 postseason tournament. The 2003-04 campaign, which was the program’s 30th anniversary season, marks the eighth consecutive year the Bulldogs have won 10 or more games and their second 20-win campaign in the last five seasons.

FPW is a university organization which encourages and promotes women by providing opportunities to consider and act on common interests and issues. Active membership is open to persons employed at Ferris State University, their spouses and retirees.

Helen Bennett Award Recipients:
1986-87 -- Kris Johnson (Volleyball), Sandy Davison (Women's Basketball)
1987-88 -- Karen Kramer (Basketball)
1988-89 -- Janna Biggs (Volleyball)
1989-90 -- Dawn Lowe (Volleyball)
1990-91 -- Kelly Stosik (Volleyball)
1991-92 -- Karen Volkers (Volleyball)
1992-93 -- Monica Ferguson (Track & Field/Cross Country)
1993-94 -- Elizabeth Berry (Tennis)
1994-95 -- Melissa Thomas (Track & Field)
1995-96 -- Melissa Petty (Volleyball)
1996-97 -- Nikki Moeggenborg (Softball)
1997-98 -- Kristen Campbell (Women's Tennis)
1998-99 -- Sherri Harris (Volleyball)
1999-00 -- Anne Bentley (Softball/Tennis)
2000-01 -- Pam Preston (Track & Field/Cross Country)
2001-02 -- Morgan Buckner (Volleyball/Track & Field)
2002-03 -- Suzanne Batten (Tennis)
2003-04 -- Molly Potvin (Basketball)