Saluki Athletics holds Scholar Athlete Banquet
10/25/2009 | 12:00:00 | General
Oct. 25, 2009
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University student-athletes were awarded for their academic success Sunday morning at the Scholar-Athlete Banquet held in the SIU Arena.
The banquet honored the 170 student-athletes, representing all 18 sports, who have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the 2008-09 academic year. The event was sold out with over 350 in attendance, including families, head coaches, athletic staff, students, deans and chancellor Samuel Goldman.
Assistant AD for Student Services, Kristina Therriault was pleased with the turnout to honor the student-athletes.
"These student-athletes work hard in the classroom," Therriault said. "I am excited we get to honor them in this way."
Former Saluki football player Bill Norwood served as the banquet's guest speaker. Norwood played for Southern from 1956-58 and was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.
A number of SIU's athletic programs rank among the top teams in the country each year based on combined GPA. Numerous student-athletes are also nationally recognized for their individual achievements in the classroom.
"It is a special day for our student-athletes," Therriault said. "We are proud to show off their academic achievements."
