Dick Shilts Male Student Athlete of the Year

2025 DICK SHILTS MALE-STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
JOE LIEDEL, KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL

Joe Liedel, a two-time All-American on the hardwood for Kalamazoo Valley Community College men's basketball, has been tabbed the 2025 Dick Shilts Male Student-Athlete of the Year following a vote by the association's leadership. Now in its fifth year, the Dick Shilts Award annually recognizes one female and one male student-athlete from the MCCAA who excels in their sport, in the classroom and in co-curricular activities. 

Liedel capped off a remarkable two-year career for the Cougars by helping lead KVCC to the NJCAA Division II Final Four and a fourth place finish nationally after capturing back-to-back MCCAA Western Conference crowns and the 2024-25 MCCAA Championship. For his efforts this season, Liedel was selected as a NJCAA Division II First Team All-American and was voted the MCCAA Western Conference Player of the Year.

On the year, Liedel averaged 23.8 points per game, good for eighth nationally, while his 123 3-pointers made led the nation. Liedel also averaged 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game for one of the best teams in the country last season.

The two-time All-American finished his KVCC career second all-time in program history with 1,480 career points after helping pace the Cougars to a 55-11 overall record and an unblemished 26-0 mark in league play over the past two seasons. Liedel also earned back-to-back All-MCCAA and All-Region selections to accompany national honors.

Off the court, Liedel boasted a high GPA and was awarded NJCAA First Team All-Academic and Academic All-MCCAA in 2023-24. The stellar GPA will soon land Liedel 2024-25 academic honors from the MCCAA and NJCAA.

Liedel is also active in the community, volunteering at local elementary schools as well as events such as Charles Place Trunk or Treat, Family Fitness Night and School Cleanup.

The 2025 Dick Shilts honoree will play at the NCAA Division I level at the University of Detroit Mercy next season.

The Dick Shilts Award honors the legacy of Dick Shilts, a revered figure who served as the Athletic Director at Kalamazoo Valley Community College for many years and held the distinction of being the longest-serving MCCAA President in association history. Throughout his tenure, Shilts advocated for the recognition of individual academic achievements within the MCCAA and spearheaded various initiatives to enhance the association's mission and impact.

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