Ferris State Athletics Honors Two Quality Student-Athletes

The award is named in memory of FSU’s first All-America football student-athlete Willie Bouyer, who was tragically killed in his hometown of Detroit in 1977. Candidates for the award, which was reinstated in the 2002-03 season following a seven-year absence, are judged on their strong inspirational leadership and dedication to fellow Ferris State student-athletes. The nominees also should be involved outside of athletics in other college and community activities along with participating on a varsity athletics team for at least two years.

Melissa Worsley

Worsley, who started 30 of 36 games at catcher in 2004, batted .240 with one home run and 16 runs batted in (RBI) last season in 104 at bats. She totaled 25 base hits, which ranked ninth on the team, while registering a career-high tying six doubles, one triple and 16 runs scored. Worsley, who was honored as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s (GLIAC) Softball Player of the Week a season ago (4/12), compiled seven multi-hit contests in the 2004 campaign, including six two-hit game efforts, and notched five multiple RBI game performances. She also posted a 1.000 fielding percentage with 82 putouts and 17 assists in 99 chances. A starter in 100 of 109 career contests, Worsley is hitting .241 (80-332) for her career with 17 doubles, one triple, one home run, 34 RBIs to go with 45 runs scored.

A 2004 GLIAC All-Academic Team member, Worsley is a two-time (2002-03) FSU Dean’s Academic Award recipient and was a 2003 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar-Athlete selection. A team leader, Worsley has worked at the Midland (Mich.) Community Center the last few summers where she has coordinated youth programs.

Derrick McIver

McIver earned Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) All-Academic Team honors the last two seasons (2002-03 and 2003-04) after attaining league all-academic honorable mention kudos in 2001-02. McIver was also named to the 2003-04 CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic District IV University Division Men’s At-Large Team. The 2003-04 FSU captain was a three-time (2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04) recipient of the program’s Scholar-Athlete Award for excellence in both the classroom and on the ice. The right winger also garnered for the third straight year both the Ferris State President’s and Dean’s Academic Awards as a result of registering the team’s highest grade point average. McIver was a co-winner of FSU’s Blueline Competitive Award in 2001-02 after picking up the Bulldogs’ Rookie of the Year honor the previous (2001-02) campaign. He played a significant role in organizing and collecting funds for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life program and also coordinated a team activity with school children for the local community’s Playscape.

For the 2003-04 season, McIver finished sixth in team scoring with 20 points on 10 goals and assists apiece in 38 contests. The former walk-on closed out his Bulldog career with 69 points on 31 goals and 38 assists to go with a +13 plus/minus efficiency rating and 13 multiple-point game performances in 144 outings.

Past Willie Bouyer Leadership Award Recipients
2002-03 – Steve Picucci (Mens' Cross Country and Men's Track & Field)
1995-96 – Benny Roe (Football)
1994-95 – Tim Christian (Men’s Ice Hockey)
1993-94 – Jere Getzinger (Wrestling and Football)
1992-93 – Dave Morin (Baseball)
1991-92 – Erica Thomas (Women’s Basketball)
1990-91 – Mark Kamppinen (Baseball)
1989-90 – Doug Mooney (Wrestling) and Jody Johnson (Softball)
1988-89 – Jim Beson (Football and Wrestling)
1987-88 – Sam Sweet (Men’s Track and Field)
1986-87 – Paul Surmont (Cheerleading – Bulldog Mascot)
1985-86 – Kurt Stevens (Men’s Basketball)
1984-85 – Steve Piotraczk (Football), Katy Kelley (Women’s Basketball)
1980-81 – Fred Kirkland (Football and Men's Track & Field)