SALEM, Va.--University of Wisconsin-Stout's Julia Hirssig is the female recipient of the 2010 Jostens Trophy. The annual award recognizes an outstanding student-athlete in NCAA Division III basketball for excellence in the classroom, on the playing court and in the community.

The winner was chosen by a national selection committee that consists of college coaches, former athletes, college administrators and selected members of the media. The members of the national selection committee cast their votes based on three criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess and community service.

The awards presentation for the Jostens Trophy is set for March 18 held in conjunction with the Salem Rotary Club's weekly meeting at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Virginia.

"[Julia's] accomplishments are many and impressive, but it is her drive and commitment to raise the standards of her teammates and fellow students that is most impressive. Julia's ability to balance both her academics and athletic goals has been a real lesson to me and our program. She has laid down a blueprint for our program that will be a part of UW-Stout Women's Basketball forever," said Head Women's Basketball Coach, Mark Thomas.

Hirssig, a senior forward from Rochester, Minn. (Mayo), has just wrapped up an impressive career. A three-year starter, Hirssig owns the school scoring record with 1,738 points. She has started 79 consecutive games and has played in all 108 games since her freshman year. A pre-season All-America pick, Hirssig led the league in scoring and rebounding this year. She dropped in 21.4 points per game and grabbed 10.6 rebounds per outing. Hirssig also ranked first in NCAA Division III with a .682 (217-318) field goal percentage.

Over her four years, Hirssig has collected several athletic awards. She is a three-time All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) First Team member and was named the 2010 WIAC Player of the Year. Additionally, Hirssig was tabbed the WIAC Player of the Week two times this season. She collected 14 double doubles, scored in double digits in 26 of 27 games, scored more than 20 points in 20 games and more than 30 points in three games.

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, the Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management major boosts a 3.959 grade point average in the classroom and has just as many academic honors. Hirssig is a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® First Team pick as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Additionally, she has earned the Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence seven times.

Hirssig is also a prominent figure within the community. She volunteers at two different elementary schools and at the Salvation Army. On campus, Hirssig serves as a student housing resident assistant and as a Quantity Foods Production lab assistant. She also works with the Blue Devil Buddies program and is a UW-Stout Career services volunteer.

Hirssig is the second player in WIAC history to claim the Jostens Trophy, joining UW-Oshkosh’s Kay Mikolajczak who won the award in 2004.

The Josten's Trophy is a joint creation of Jostens, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn., and the Rotary Club of Salem, Va. The purpose of the award is to honor the true Division III student-athlete - the athlete that shows excellence in the classroom, on the playing floor and in the community. In addition to the Trophy, the Wooldridge Scholarship, a $1,000 donation, will be presented in the name of the winner to his/her institution. The scholarship was named after Dan Wooldridge, a Salem Rotarian and retired Commissioner of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, as a way of honoring him for his long-time dedication to Division III athletics.

Minneapolis-based Jostens is a leading provider of products and services that help recognize achievement and affiliation throughout people's lives. The company specializes in championships rings and awards in addition to yearbooks, class rings, graduation products, school photography and corporate programs.