ST. LOUIS -- Each week, the Missouri Valley Conference will provide an update on the top Larry Bird Trophy candidates from each MVC school. This week's update is through men's basketball games of Jan. 18.

 The Larry Bird and Jackie Stiles Trophies are given annually to the Missouri Valley Conference's top performing male and female basketball student-athletes. A vote of league coaches, sports information directors and a media panel determine the winners -- who are announced prior to the State Farm MVC Tournaments in March. Emerson, a St. Louis-based global technology leader, is the presenting sponsor of the Larry Bird and Jackie Stiles Trophies.

 Larry Bird, the pride of French Lick, Ind., was the national college Player of the Year in 1979 while leading the Sycamores to a 33-1 record and the championship game of the NCAA Tournament. A two-time consensus first-team All-American and twice the MVC Player of the Year, he finished his career with over 2,000 points and 1,200 rebounds. He went on to earn three NBA titles and was a three time NBA Most Valuable Player with the Boston Celtics. Bird was tabbed as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.

 Emerson is proud to support the communities in which we live and the academic achievement of today's generation. As the presenting partner of the Larry Bird and Jackie Stiles Trophies, Emerson is proud of the MVC student-athletes' on- and off-court achievements and supports the development of tomorrow's leaders. Join us in honoring those who achieve. Emerson. Consider it Solved.

www.Emerson.com