June 9, 2010

EVANSTON, Ill. - Mark Blades (Lakewood, Ohio/St. Ignatius) of the men's soccer team and Lauren Lui (Houston, Texas/Kinkaid) of the women's tennis program were named Northwestern's recipients of the 2009-10 Big Ten Medal of Honor today (June 9). The award is given annually to one graduating male and female student-athlete of outstanding academic and athletic talent.

Blades became the first player in the history of the Wildcat men's soccer program to earn multiple All-America honors by virtue of his second-team selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) in 2009. A three-time All-Big Ten honoree, he was named a first-team all-conference selection and the Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Year his senior year. He previously earned third-team All-America recognition as a junior in 2008.

Blades was a member of the most successful senior class in school history, guiding Northwestern to 52 victories while the group became the first in program history to qualify for the NCAA tournament all four years. The Wildcats twice advanced to the NCAA quarterfinal round, in 2006 and again in 2008. Blades was a candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and was named to the watch list for the Hermann Trophy which honors the nation's top collegiate soccer player. A psychology major, he was twice named Academic All-Big Ten.

Lui is a three-time All-Big Ten honoree and qualified for the NCAA Doubles Championship on three occasions, earning All-American status as a junior in 2009 when she advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. She finished her career with a 127-44 overall singles record, including an outstanding 37-2 mark in Big Ten singles matches. Lui has been a crucial contributor on NU teams that won back-to-back ITA National Indoor Team champions and twice finished the season ranked No. 2 in the nation.

Off the court, Lui has been honored by the ITA on two occasions, first as the ITA National Sportsmanship Award recipient in 2009 and again as the Wilson/ITA National Promoter of the Year in 2010. A major in learning and organizational change, Lui is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Both individuals will receive their awards at the N Club Induction and Senior Recognition Banquet Thursday, June 17.

2010 Big Ten Medal of Honor winners:

Illinois
Jon Asamoah, Football
Angela Bizzarri, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field

Indiana
Ofori Sarkodie, Men's Soccer
Wendi Robinson, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field

Iowa
Brent Metcalf, Wrestling
Sheila Rinozzi, Rowing

Michigan
Phillip Goldberg, Men's Gymnastics
Angela Findlay, Softball

Michigan State
Blair White, Football
Allyssa DeHaan, Women's Basketball

Minnesota
Jayson Ness, Wrestling
Heather Dorniden, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field

Northwestern
Mark Blades, Men's Soccer
Lauren Lui, Women's Tennis

Ohio State
Stefan Sigrist, Men's Swimming and Diving
Chelsea Davis, Women's Swimming and Diving

Penn State
Jason Yeisley, Men's Soccer
Ashley Griffith, Softball

Purdue
Chris Kramer, Men's Basketball
FahKara Malone, Women's Basketball

Wisconsin
Jack Bolas, Men's Track and Field
Chavon Robinson, Women's Track and Field