Harrison Blackledge, Hope College's first Jostens Trophy recipient, was honored prior to Saturday's home men's basketball game against Olivet College.
Blackledge was recognized for being chosen as the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Most Outstanding Player of the Year at the Jostens Trophy ceremony last March in Salem, Virginia.
Photo of, from left, Roger Mulder, Bev Mulder, Todd Blackledge, Harrison Blackledge, Kristi Troutman, Cherie Blackledge, and Greg Mitchell by Tom Renner
Roger Mulder '61 and Bev Mulder have donated an exact replica of the Jostens Trophy to be displayed at DeVos Fieldhouse. Blackledge earlier received his own Jostens Trophy from the award's organizers.
Blackledge graduated from Hope College in May after completing a double major of communication and management. The native of Canton, Ohio (Hoover HS) is pursuing a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Blackledge will be pursuing a career in consulting, marketing, or public relations in New York City after he completes his graduate studies.
As a senior, Blackledge was named D3hoops and National Basketball Coaches Association First Team All-American and Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player. He averaged 20 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while leading the Flying Dutchmen to an MIAA regular-season title and to the third round of the 2017 Division III Tournament.
Blackledge was selected the 2017 Otto van der Velde Award winner at Hope College that is given to a senior man for outstanding contribution to the college in athletics, scholarship, and participation in student activities. The award was created in memory of Dr. Otto van der Velde, a 1915 Hope College graduate who lettered in four sports and was later the team physician for more than 40 years.
Blackledge earned a spot on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll all four seasons he was a student-athlete.
Blackledge did extensive work in the community during his time as a student-athlete. In each of his four years at Hope, he has taught the game of basketball to underprivileged students in the surrounding community. He also worked with the Special Olympics and the Miracle League, at the local Ronald McDonald House, and participated in after-school enrichment programs. In addition, he served as a counselor at the Summer's Best Two Weeks Camp, as a mentor to students.
