PNW’s Cordova Named National Semifinalist for Wooden Cup
HAMMOND, Ind. & WESTVILLE, Ind. – Purdue Northwest men’s cross country senior standout Salvador Cordova (Hammond, Ind./Bishop Noll) was recently named one of 25 national semifinalists for The Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup presented by Athletes for a Better World (ABW) when the national organization announced the award committee’s selections. To be nominated for the Wooden Cup, an athlete must exemplify strong character and leadership both on and off the field in addition to making worthwhile contributions to sport and society.
“Sal is the type of student-athlete who makes such an impact on the department that the effects are long lasting and transformative,” said PNW Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services and Senior Woman Administrator Jennifer Madgiak. “From the moment he stepped foot on our campus, he has been an active leader for Purdue Northwest Athletics. I’m so glad he is being recognized alongside so many amazing collegiate student-athletes across the country, because he definitely belongs in this category.”
Cordova is a school record holder for the Pride men’s cross country team and was just the second cross country runner in program history to qualify for the national meet (2016). He was a finalist for the John Friend Leadership Award, which is the highest honor within PNW Athletics and currently serves as Vice President on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for Purdue Northwest.
Cordova also volunteered 40 hours each summer with the City of Hammond as part of its College Bound program and helped organize and implement a sexual assault awareness campaign on the PNW campus.
Cordova was one of just two cross country runners in the field of national semifinalists. The group included student-athletes from a number of top NCAA Division I institutions, including University of Oklahoma, North Carolina State, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Kentucky.