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By VAN ROSE vrose@leader.net
Wednesday, March 12, 2003 Page: 1B
While many area basketball fans tune into March Madness this weekend, what
they may not realize is they missed a chance to catch one of college
basketball’s best players right in their backyard.
On Tuesday, Wilkes University senior center Whitney Bull was named winner
of the 2003 Jostens Trophy, presented annually to the Division III Basketball
Player of the Year.
Bull was one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Award, which is based on three
criteria: basketball ability, academic success and community service.
The 5-foot-11 Bull capped her college career by averaging 16.5 points and
13.5 rebounds per game, and became the Lady Colonels’ all-time leading
rebounder. She maintained a perfect 4.0 grade average.
She also is active in the community, performing volunteer services for the
Wilkes Income Tax Assistance Program.
Bull said she is simply overwhelmed at winning Division III basketball’s
highest honor.
“I really was not expecting it,” said Bull, 22, who learned about it last
Friday while visiting her grandfather in Florida. “I was completely
surprised. It really caught me off guard.”
Bull still hasn’t come down to earth.
“It’s definitely a big honor,” Bull said. “I think it will sink in more
when I’m at the award ceremony.”
That will take place on March 20 at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Va.
The University of Chicago’s Derek Reich, who won the men’s Jostens Award, also
will be honored at the luncheon, sponsored by Salem’s Rotary Club.
“My friends and my family are ecstatic,” Bull said. “My grandfather and
my aunt are flying in from Florida for the award ceremony.”
Bull said Wilkes coach Jim Reed played a pivotal role in her success.
“He was a key factor in me getting this award. Without him, I wouldn’t be
getting it. He’s taught me so much and has been a great motivator.”
Reed said Bull richly deserves the Jostens Award.
“She’s meant everything to our program,” Reed said. “She’s a great
player. Off the court, she’s a model citizen and a super student.
“This is super recognition for Whitney, as well as our program. She’s
irreplaceable.”
Bull, a former Berwick standout, transferred to Wilkes in 2001 after
spending two years at Elizabethtown. Her career hit a low point during her
sophomore season with the Blue Jays.
“I really became frustrated with the sport, as well as myself,” Bull
said. “I had numerous injuries and underwent surgery.
“Sometimes, it crosses your mind `Why are you doing this?’ ” But I stuck
with it.”
Bull was somewhat taken back when the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom
League All-Star team was announced last week. She was named to the second
team.
“It was definitely a disappointment to me to be named to the second
team,” Bull said. “I think I was a little more deserving of the first team.
“It’s a little difficult for me to comprehend how you can be named
National Player of the Year, and not be a first-team league all-star,” she
added. “I’m grateful to the coaches that did recognize my performance on the
court, but it’s sad that others didn’t.”
Bull, who scored 1,219 points and grabbed 984 rebounds, also was named a
Verizon Academic All-American. She is the second Wilkes player to win the
Jostens Award. Dave Jannuzzi won it in 2001.
Bull is currently working on a master’s degree in business administration
at Wilkes.
“I think my performance in the classroom as well as basketball got me this
award,” she said.