James Burton Wade, son of Eric and DeRecia (Wetherton) Wade, has been selected by Ottawa University coaching staff as a male student athlete co-recipient of the Dudley Geise NAIA Champions of Character Award. Dudley was a strong Christian with great character who was a tremendous supporter of Ottawa University.
Jimmie is the grandson of Jim and Beverly (Jenkins) Wetherton, Lenexa, Kan., and Burt and Sharon Wade. He is the great-grandson of the late Lester and Pauline Jenkins, of Ava, and Earl and Florence Wetherton.
The award has been intentionally tied to the Champion of Character program as a way to further promote its values which were well exemplified by the way Dudley lived his life. The nomination and selection process requires that the student-athletes are exceptional in their respective sport and have exhibited the character qualities of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership as promulgated by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. This award goes to one male and one female sophomore student-athlete who have exemplified these qualities during their first year at Ottawa University as identified by the coaching staff.
Jimmie has also made the dean’s list for 2009. He is a 3-year cancer survivor. Jimmie was diagnosed in his senior year at Olathe North High School and continued through his senior year while undergoing his treatments and retained a 3.9 grade point average. Jimmie was a recipient his senior year of the United States Marine Corps award for his athletic ability in baseball.
Jimmie was recognized and honored by Dave Owen, president of the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame at Ottawa University during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 22, 2010.
