Kirby Blackley

Former standout track and field star Kirby Blackley of The University of Findlay has been selected for the prestigious NCAA Today’s Top VIII award which will be given to her on Jan. 15, 2009, at the NCAA Honors and Delegates Celebration at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.  She will be presented the award in front of an audience of up to 1,800 individuals from NCAA member institutions.

“Over the years, we have had a lot of great student-athletes here at Findlay but Kirby definitely stands out,” said Steven Rackley, director of athletics. “Not only is she a great athlete but she was also a tremendous student and wonderful person as well. In the NCAA, this is one of the greatest honors an athlete can receive and I am so excited for Kirby because she is very deserving of this award.”

To receive the award, student-athletes are judged on athletic ability and achievement, academic achievement and character, leadership and extracurricular activity involvement.  The awards are then presented to eight outstanding student-athletes whose intercollegiate athletics eligibility expires this year.

Selections were based on 2007-08 winter and spring sports seasons and the 2008 fall sports season.

Blackley won two national championships in the long jump and 100-meter hurdles at the 2008 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championship. She was also voted the 2007-08 NCAA Division II Female Track Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

She also captured honors as the 2008 Great Lakes Region and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Athlete of the Year for both the indoor and outdoor seasons, has been a 10-time All-American in both seasons during her career and has captured 14 conference championships during her tenure with the Oilers.

Setting records is nothing new for Blackley as she holds or shares eight school marks for the indoor and outdoor teams, has accumulated five GLIAC records and was featured in Sports Illustrated as part of their “Faces in the Crowd” (May 26 issue, page 27).

“Kirby’s athletic and academic achievements at The University of Findlay have been truly remarkable,” said head track and field coach Marc Arce.  “In over 30 years of coaching I have not seen anyone as focused and determined both on and off the track as she has been. To win two national titles, 14 conference titles and earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years speaks for itself. She is by far the most decorated student-athlete which I have been associated with and is truly deserving of the recognition she has received.”

Additional accomplishments during her career include being named the 2007-08 Female Athlete of the Year at The University of Findlay, the 2007 Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Female Athlete of the Year, the 2005-2006 Female Athlete of the Year at The University of Findlay, the 2004-2005 Female Athlete of the Year at The University of Findlay and the 2005 GLIAC Field Athlete of the Year.

The Cincinnati, Ohio, native was also nominated for the 2007-08 NCAA Woman of the Year award as well as the 2007-08 Division II Athlete of the Year, reaching the finals for both of the honors.

From an academic standpoint, Blackley received Academic All-American status as well as being named Academic All-GLIAC three times during her career.

“I am greatly humbled and appreciative to be honored with this award in the presence of so many outstanding people, said Kirby Blackley. “I give all the glory to God for all of my achievements and have gratitude towards all of my friends, family and supporters who have stood by me through all of my endeavors. I could not have achieved any of this without their help.”

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