DWU’s Bergh Wins National Award

MITCHELL, S.D. – Trae Bergh, a member of the Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team, is the 2014 recipient of the Emil S. Liston Award, it was announced Monday.

The honor is given annually to student athletes in their junior year has been presented each year since 1950 to one men's and one women's NAIA basketball player. The award, which is presented by Daktronics, recognizes academic and athletic excellence and includes a $1,000 scholarship to each winner. The award is named in honor of the NAIA's first executive secretary and a prime mover behind the NAIA men's basketball tournament. The 2014 women's winner is Dana Heegemann from Stephens College (Mo.)

"I am extremely proud of Trae for this achievement," DWU men's basketball coach Matt Wilber said. "We are lucky to have him in our program and at our school. He represents DWU in the highest manner and is a tremendous teammate in all aspects. Trae is very deserving of this award, but it will not change anything about him. He will continue to put forth the same effort in the classroom, in our community, and on the court as he has always done."

On the court for the Tigers in the 2013-14 season, Bergh provided stability from the outside. He tied the DWU school record for 3-pointers in a game with 10 in a 43-point performance in the season opener for the Tigers. He finished his sophomore season third in the NAIA in 3-pointers with 3.48 per game, while averaging 16.6 from his shooting guard position and earned All-Great Plains Athletic Conference Second Team honors.

In the classroom, Bergh holds a 4.0 grade point average and is studying athletic training. He has been assisting with the DWU women's soccer training staff in 2014.

"It's nice to receive an award like this because it's not about just basketball," Bergh said. "Something my parents preached since I was a foot tall, is when you live in a small town you are not just seen on the basketball court and it's important to work hard and set an example in the community. It's great to get noticed for all the hard work."

Bergh is from Crooks, S.D. and attended Tri-Valley High School prior to coming to DWU. He is the son of Troy and Cyndi Bergh.