Charlotte, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Longwood women's cross country/track runner Kiersten Witte (Glen Allen, Va.) and Winthrop baseball player Parker Whittle (West Columbia, S.C.) have been awarded the annual Bob McCloskey Insurance Big South Conference Graduate Fellowships, it was announced today by the league office. Bob McCloskey Insurance (BMI), a Big South Corporate Partner, will award $2,000 each to Witte and Whittle for their respective graduate studies on Thursday evening, May 30, as part of the conference's annual Spring Awards Dinner Banquet at Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, S.C.

The Big South Conference Graduate Fellowship Program was established by the league in the Fall of 2005 as a means of recognizing the academic excellence of Big South Conference student-athletes who intend to pursue postgraduate studies upon graduation from a Big South Conference institution.

"BMI is very proud to continue our support of the Big South Conference, and congratulate the winners," said Rob McCloskey, President of BMI. "They are truly deserving, and our best wishes are with them as they move forward to the next phase of life."

Whittle leads the Eagles with 26 appearances out of the bullpen this season. He has pitched 33.2 innings with a 1.43 WHIP, 30 strikeouts, two saves, three combined shutouts and has held opposing batters to a .252 batting average. Whittle has appeared in nine conference contests, and has recorded 13 strikeouts, one save and just four walks in 16.1 innings of work. He owns an 11-5 career record at Winthrop in 82 appearances, along with five saves, 145 strikeouts and a 9.23 Ks per nine inning ratio in 141.1 innings pitched. Whittle graduated this month with a 3.984 GPA with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, and plans to pursue his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of South Carolina.

Off the diamond, Whittle has earned President's List honors five times, has been a three-time Big South Presidential Honor Roll member, and a two-time selection to the Big South Baseball All-Academic Team. He has received several academic scholarships -- the Winthrop Premier scholarship; S.C. State Fair-Ride of Your Life scholarship; Dixie Youth Baseball scholarship; Airport High School Education scholarship; and the Airport High School Eagle Club scholarship. Whittle served as a physical therapy intern at Benchmark Physical Therapy from August-November 2023 (180 hours), was a physical therapy aide at The Sigurd Center for Neuro and Ortho Rehab from June-August 2023 (238 hours), and has spent approximately 1.5 hours per week as a "Bingocize" senior adult activity leader at the Rock Hill Senior Center. He has also spent time in the community as a Youth Intern at Trinity Baptist Church Cayce (Summer 2021, 2022 and 2023), as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team since January 2022.

Nominations for the Graduate Fellowship are made by the Faculty Athletics Representative or the Chief Academic Officer at a Big South member institution, and are limited to one male and one female at each school.  To qualify for the Big South Conference Graduate Fellowship, applicants must have the following requirements:

• Have an overall undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 3.500 or better based on a maximum 4.000, or the equivalent in other recognized grading systems;
• Have competed in intercollegiate athletics as a member of a varsity team at a Big South Conference member institution;
• Must be either a graduating senior during the academic year of the award, or be enrolled in a graduate program at a Big South Conference institution while completing the last year of eligibility;
• Intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree and enroll into a graduate degree program at a properly accredited, non-profit educational institution or into a post-baccalaureate professional degree program at a professionally accredited law school, medical school or the equivalent, without restriction as to the national site of the institution;
• Have evidenced superior character and superior leadership;
• Have demonstrated that participation in athletics and community service has been a positive influence on the nominee's personal and intellectual development.  Relative success in athletics is important but not of overriding significance;
• Enroll in a graduate degree program the term subsequent to being awarded the fellowship or present a rationale for deferred matriculation.