INDIANAPOLIS –William Jewell College sophomore linebacker Jimmy DeStefano, as well as University of Indianapolis senior running back Klay Fiechter and Kentucky Wesleyan College junior return specialist Jeff Ward have been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Players of the Week, it was announced by the league office Monday.  Fiechter was named Offensive Player of the Week, DeStefano was picked as Defensive Player of the Week, while Ward was selected as Special Teams Player of the Week.

DeStefano helped William Jewell to its first win of the season in a 36-34 victory at NCAA Division I FCS member Valparaiso.  The Wildwood, Mo., native led the Cardinal defense with eight tackles on the night, including two for a loss and one-half sack.  He also recovered a fumble on Valparaiso's final drive of the first quarter.  This is the first weekly award for DeStefano and the second-ever honor for a Jewell standout as Thomas Cook was named Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 22, 2012.

Fiechter recorded 245 all-purpose yards, including a career-high 198 rushing yards on 26 carries in the Greyhounds' 51-20 win over Saint Xavier.  

Ward garners the second Special Teams Player of the Week award of his career, having also been honored on Oct. 15, 2012.  The Jasper, Ala., native racked up 326 all-purpose yards in last Saturday's 39-20 loss to Lindsey Wilson, with 183 of those coming in the return game.  Ward set a GLVC record with 168 kickoff return yards, breaking the previous conference best of 163, which was set in the season opener by Truman State's Tremaine Millender.  

The Cardinals face McKendree University at home on Saturday night as they open GLVC play.