Saluki Student-Athletes recognized at Scholars Reception
11/04/2013 | 12:00:00 | General
Nov. 4, 2013
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill.-- Over two hundred Southern Illinois University student-athletes were recognized for their academic achievements Monday night at the Saluki Scholars Reception.
Student-athletes who held a GPA of 3.0 or above for the 2012-2013 academic year were recognized by university and athletic staff with a reception in the east lobby of SIU Arena.
"I thought it was really important to honor the work our student-athletes are doing in the classroom," said SIU Athletic Director Mario Moccia. "It is significant when you have over 200 student-athletes from a population of 360 getting a 3.0 GPA or better."
In attendance was SIU Chancellor Dr. Rita Cheng, Provost Dr. John Nicklow, members of the Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Committee, and a Dean representing each of the eight colleges on campus.
"We know the ultimate victory for our student-athletes is when they return back to the arena not in uniform, but in a cap and gown," said Chancellor Dr. Rita Cheng.
During the 2012-2013 academic year, 116 student-athletes boasted a 3.5 GPA or above including 30 student-athletes with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
"Student-athletes face a balancing act that requires long hours of practice but that also demands perseverance and commitment to academics," said Dr. Cheng "Our student-athletes surely do that and are great ambassadors to our university."
2012-2013 Saluki Athletic academic accomplishments:
- The NFCA honored 11 softball student-athletes with Scholar-Athlete Distinction
- Volleyball was awarded the AVCA Team Academic Award for the eighth consecutive year
- Men's and women's swimming and diving earned Scholar All-America honors by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America for the spring 2013 semester
- Men's Basketball posted the highest GPA earned by the program over the past twenty years
- Men's and women's tennis both earned the All-Academic team distinction from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, as well as a total eight student-athletes who were named ITA Scholar-Athletes
- Three women's golf student-athletes were each honored as All-American Scholars, as voted on by the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA)
- Men's golf student-athlete Jake Erickson was one of 153 Division I players named to the Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars team for 2013
-Six Saluki Track and Field student-athletes were named to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team
