IUN News
Erica Baran
Erica Baran
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 - [Women's Basketball]
On March 9, 2010 IU Northwest junior forward Erica Baran was announced one of 32 national recipients of the NAIA Division II Champions of Character Award. The Champions of Character Awards are announced annually at the banquet that precedes the national tournament as each team selects one member that displays and embraces the true character values of the NAIA and each of their respective teams. Erica is the first and only recipient of this award in IU Northwest's history.

"Nobody on our team is more deserving of this award than Erica. She is a great teammate who always puts her teammates and the best interests of the team before individual goals. She is a leader on and off the court as well as an outstanding student. Erica is one of the biggest reasons for our program's success, her coaches are proud of her and congratulate her on this prestigious award" said Coach Ryan Shelton.

 
Erica is the only 3-time letter winner on this year's RedHawks squad and only remaining member from the 2007-08 team and Coach Shelton's first season as head coach. She is a two-time captain of the RedHawks won a school-record 24 games, claimed the Association of Independent Institutions' Tournament title, made its first-ever NAIA Tournament appearance. Erica will be presented her award at this year's IU Northwest Athletics Banquet that will be held Thursday, April 22, 2010 in the Savannah Center.