MILWAUKEE, Wis. –
Alyssa Fischer of the Milwaukee women's basketball team was named this year's recipient of the Horizon League's Bobby Fong Award, announced by the league office on Wednesday morning.
The award is named after the late Bobby Fong, who served as President of Butler University from 2001-11. The Bobby Fong Award is given to the student-athlete or team that best represents the Horizon League and its core values of integrity, respect, and stewardship.
"Bobby understood that to lead is to serve. Great leaders demonstrate by example the values they seek to instill and support others in following their lead," commented Bobby's widow Suzanne Fong. "Alyssa not only supports her fellow athletes herself, but she has found ways to enable them to help and support one another. As Bobby did, she lives out her faith in service to others. In so doing, she encourages everyone around her to make their worlds a little better. Bobby would be so proud of her, as am I."
Not only did Fischer make an impact on the court this season, but she continues to excel in the classroom, give back to the community, and provide an example for others on campus.
"Alyssa is incredibly deserving of the Bobby Fong Award," Head Coach
Kyle Rechlicz commented. "She embodies the defining characteristics of integrity, respect, and stewardship on a daily basis. It was engrained in her early in life by her amazing parents, Craig and Amy."
A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for three years, Fischer took on the role of the committee's President for the past two years and has thrived as a student leader and voice of the student-athletes on campus. As President of SAAC, Fischer administered a social media specific subcommittee that harnesses the beauty of inclusion and understanding.
"Alyssa defines what it means to be a student-athlete. She is an outstanding student, hard-working athlete, and an even better person, who embodies the Horizon League's core values of integrity, respect, and stewardship," Associate Athletic Director and SAAC Supervisor
Clare Faurote stated. "She is constantly thinking of others and has certainly left her mark on our department in her role as SAAC President. Her impact at Milwaukee will still be felt many years from now."
Fischer also heads the diversity and inclusion promotion week and directs the One Love Foundation, which is an initiative to educate young people about healthy versus unhealthy relationships. Additionally, Fischer guest speaks each month to keep all team representatives within the athletic department informed on topics such as mental health, nutrition, administration roles, career information, and much more.
She is focused her peer's student-welfare as well, having had numerous meetings and conversations about mental health this year. She is motivated on making our student-athletes volunteer efforts and impact known. As one of the leaders of the Athletes in Action (a Christian-based organization) leadership team, she is truly invested in the lives of many of her peers through her dedication to her faith and yearning to positively impact all whom she knows via intentional relationships.
Earlier this season, Fischer was named one of five players across the league to the Horizon League All-Academic Team. She owns a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average and will graduate with a degree in Information Science and Technology.
"I'm so thankful to have had the chance to coach and mentor a player and person of Alyssa's caliber," Rechlicz continued. "She has elite athletic ability, a non-stop work-ethic both on the court and in the classroom, and a complete willingness to put others first. I can't wait to see what she accomplishes in her next chapter of life."
This marks the fifth year of the Bobby Fong Award. As Butler's President, Dr. Fong served on the Horizon League Board of Directors from 2001-11, including a term as its chairman. Under his watch, Butler sustained an athletic program distinguished by its balance between academic achievement and competitive excellence.
