Salber awarded prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Simpson graduate and former Storm volleyball player Marissa Salber has been awarded a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for her academic and athletic achievements.

Salber graduated summa cum laude in December 2022 with a bachelor's degree in business management and was a four-year member of the Storm women's volleyball team. She becomes the 16th NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient in Simpson history, joining just five other female student-athletes to receive the honor.

"Simpson helped me grow into an extremely well-rounded individual and law school applicant," said Salber. "While continuing my passion for volleyball, I was still able to challenge myself academically and become very involved in the community. I always felt like I could pursue my interests, and I was able to build friendships and professional connections with individuals from all walks of life."

Salber plans to use her award to attend the University of Nebraska College of Law this upcoming fall. While her area of practice is still undecided, her current role at Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather has solidified her interest in working for a larger, private law firm.

"I have always had an interest in attending law school, but meeting with Laurie Dufoe in Career Development my freshman year really cultivated my confidence to do so," said Salber. "Laurie later recruited me to work in her office, and I learned so much about building a strong resume and networking. I was also paired with an attorney mentor through Simpson's Alumni Mentorship Program who has helped me better understand what it takes to become a successful future attorney."

On the court, Salber earned four letters and was recognized as a first team all-conference performer in 2022 following an honorable mention nod in 2021. She compiled 1647 assists, 514 digs, 174 kills, 65 aces and 56 blocks from her setter position and played a crucial role in the Storm reaching the American Rivers Conference Tournament each of the last two seasons after a seven-year postseason drought.

"I truly appreciate the collegiate volleyball career I had," said Salber. "It was rewarding to be a part of the resurgence of Simpson's program. I can't thank Coach KK enough for his belief in me and always pushing me to be my best. I would not have had the success I did or be athletically qualified for this award without him. All my coaches and teammates at Simpson poured so much into me, and I am very glad that I chose to play volleyball here."

Salber garnered three academic all-conference awards and was selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team as a senior. Additionally, she was a member of three honor societies while at Simpson: Epsilon Sigma Honor Society (2022), Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society (2021) and Pi Kappa Delta National Forensics Honor Society (2020).

On top of her athletic and academic achievements, the Omaha, Neb. native was heavily involved in campus activities, holding leadership roles as Senior Class President and Head of Student Organizations and Activities Committee. Salber served as volleyball's SAAC representative, logged over 150 community service hours as a Wesley Service Scholar, and was an Interfaith Fellow, Culver Fellow and Pre-Law Society member.

"Marissa is a model of the D3 student-athlete," said Kedron Bardwell, department chair of political science and faculty athletics representative. "She was a leader: serving campus as the class president and captain of the volleyball team, then doing multiple internships and community service. She achieved an exceptional academic record while competing as a high-level athlete, working as a legal assistant to the Warren County Attorney, competing on the speech and debate team, and more. We are excited to track her future success in law school and as an attorney."

Salber initially learned about the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship opportunity from Barb Overton, one of her former assistant coaches at Simpson. From there, she worked with Bardwell and Barb Ramos, associate professor of education and faculty athletics representative, to complete her application.

"I am thankful for the kind letters of recommendation from Professor Bardwell, Professor Juffernbruch, Laurie Dufoe, and Coach KK Palea," said Salber. "I took a more unique approach to my personal statement, and I cannot thank Colin Payton enough for helping me articulate and deliver my story to the scholarship committee. The fact that all of these individuals were willing and ready to help me receive this honor speaks to the family-like culture of Simpson."

Simpson's NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Winners
1971 — Rich Clogg, football
1974 — Hugh Lickiss, football
1980 — John Hines, men's basketball
1985 — Danny Bauer, men's cross country/track
1989 — Lynn Shull, women's cross country/track
1990 — Ian Grover, football
1992 — Melissa Mellecker, volleyball/track
1994 — Chad Earwood, football
1995 — David Otte, men's basketball
1996 — Leah Willenborg, women's golf
2000 — Hannah Willenborg, women's golf
2003 — Jesse Harris, men's basketball
2007 — Tiffany Everding, volleyball
2015 — Louis Joslyn, men's soccer
2017 — Nick Joslyn, men's soccer
2023 — Marissa Salber, volleyball

About the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship program
The NCAA awards up to 126 postgraduate scholarships annually. The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are at least in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition.

The one-time non-renewable scholarships of $10,000 are awarded three times a year corresponding to each sport season (fall, winter and spring). Each sports season there are 21 scholarships available for men and 21 scholarships available for women for use in an accredited graduate program.

All former student-athletes who earned an undergraduate degree from an NCAA member school are eligible to be nominated by that school for an NCAA graduate degree scholarship, regardless of when they received their undergraduate degree.