Eldridge receives NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

INDIANANPOLIS, Ind. – London Eldridge, a senior on The University of Olivet women's track and field team, has recently been awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, it was announced today by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. She is only the fifth student-athlete and first female in UOlivet history to receive this scholarship. The others are Charles Kovaleski in 1970, Bill Ziem in 1974, Jeff Bell in 1999 and Jalen Weaver in 2017.

"I am incredibly honored to receive the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship," said Eldridge. "I'm deeply thankful for this opportunity and for the people who helped make it possible. I would like to sincerely thank Coach Karen Lutzke, Dr. Leah Knapp, and my 4-H leader Jennifer Senn for writing such thoughtful letters of recommendation. I'm also especially grateful to Geoff Henson, Olivet's Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information and Communications, for his guidance and support throughout the application process. I'm truly appreciative of everyone who has supported me on this journey."

Eldridge is one of 42 recipients of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for the 2024-25 winter sports season. Each person receives a one-time, non-renewable $10,000 scholarship intended to support graduate study at an accredited institution. Eldridge will enroll in the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Science in the fall.

On the track, Eldridge is a three-time All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) selection. She won back-to-back league titles in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2024 and 2025 MIAA Field Day to land a spot on the All-MIAA First team and finished second in the 60-meter hurdles at the 2025 indoor championships to earn All-MIAA Second Team honors.

Eldridge holds the UOlivet record in the 400 hurdles (1:03.79) as well as running legs of the school-record 4x100 and 4x400-meter relays at 49.66 seconds and 4:02.03, respectively. All three of these times were achieved at the 2025 MIAA Field Day. She also has the second-fastest indoor times in UOlivet history in the 60-meter hurdles (9.36) and 400-meter dash (1:00.98). Eldridge has the third-quickest outdoor times in the 100-meter hurdles (15.60) and 400-meter dash (59.78).

"We are thrilled that London won this prestigious award," said Olivet head track and field coach Karen Lutzke, "She has been a leader on our track and field team, in the community, and on campus. We are looking forward to watching her development as she heads to the next chapter of her life."

Eldridge will graduate this Saturday with a perfect 4.00 grade point average. She majored in biology with a pre-medicine concentration, while minoring in biochemistry. Eldridge received the Presidential Distinguished Medalist award for being one of the top five in the graduating class.

During her time at Olivet, Eldridge was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Pre-vet club, Global Citizen's Honors Program, Alpha Phi Upsilon medical society and Sigma Zeta. Back in her hometown, she was a 4-H leader and served as president on the Montcalm County Junior Livestock Committee. Eldridge also volunteered at the American Red Cross, Ionia County Conservation District, Montcalm County fairgrounds and Project Fish.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship program recognizes student-athletes across all three NCAA divisions, who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements, athletic excellence and leadership within their communities. 

Each year, the NCAA awards 126 postgraduate scholarships to student-athletes who have completed their final year of athletics competition. The scholarships are distributed three times annually — in the fall, winter and spring — providing 21 scholarships each to men and women per season.

Established in 1964, the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship program promotes and encourages graduate education by recognizing the Association's most accomplished student-athletes. The program evaluates candidates on their athletic and academic achievements, campus involvement, community service and leadership. An equitable selection process ensures that all nominees, regardless of sport, division, gender or race, are considered fairly.