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USF Athletics Honors Its Own on National Student-Athlete Day
April 6, 2009 (SAN FRANCISCO) - On April 6, the University of San Francisco will participate in the National Student-Athlete Day, one of America's strongest endeavors to increase the positive virtues of sport and the recognition of student-athletes nationwide. USF celebrates the academic success of its student-athletes. During the 2008 Fall Semester, 125 out of the 230 student-athletes representing the Green and Gold achieved an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. No fewer than 24 student-athletes posted a 3.75 GPA or higher and 45 recorded marks of 3.50 or better. Four student-athletes posted an unblemished 4.0 GPA in the Fall - Sahar Bala (XC), Sarah Garland (WSOC), Jessy Mekpoh (WTEN) and Joan Piasta (WSOC). USF's baseball program set a program record compiling a remarkable team GPA of 3.18. San Francisco's efforts in the classroom were recognized at the conference level as six student-athletes captured West Coast Conference All-Academic honors. Christian Hernandez of the men's basketball team captured all-league accolades for the second consecutive season. "At the University of San Francisco, our athletic program is committed to the pursuit of excellence in both the athletic and academic arenas," USF Deputy Athletics Director William J. Weidner said. "We are most proud of our student-athletes as we celebrate their outstanding academic accomplishments on National Student-Athlete Day. On behalf of the University of San Francisco and our entire athletic program, we congratulate each of these honorees for their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the field of play." Celebrated annually on April 6 since 1987, National Student-Athlete Day is America's day to celebrate outstanding student-athletes who have achieved excellence in academics and athletics while having made significant contributions to the community. It is also a time to recognize those parents, teachers, coaches and school systems which make it possible for young people to find the balance between academics and athletics. By participating in National Student-Athlete Day, people can create programs, reward students, and together recognize the importance of student-athletes as role models for the entire community. National Student-Athlete Day has emerged from recognizing a small number of outstanding student-athletes in 1987, to honoring over 2.6 million since 1997. Dr. Richard Lapchick, founder and Executive Director of the NCAS and founder Director Emeritus of Sport in Society, hopes "that high schools, colleges and universities will take advantage of this opportunity to honor their outstanding student-athletes. National Student-Athlete Day is a powerful opportunity to promote those who have become leaders and have gone above and beyond what is expected. Honored student-athletes have demonstrated the most important things we can get by being involved in sport." National Student-Athlete Day was created by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) and Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society. Currently, it is presented through the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). For more information about National Student-Athlete Day, go to www.nsad.cc. USF will host a barbecue for its student-athletes Saturday, April 25, 2009 when the Dons host Pepperdine in baseball action at Benedetti Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM with the barbecue to follow the conclusion of the WCC contest. Complete Listing of USF Student-Athlete Academic Achievement 4.0 - 3.75 G.P.A Kallie Caldwell PSYCH 3.8 Jared Denham BADM 3.8 Sarah Garland PSYCH 4 Robert Ethel CHEM 3.91 Lauren Maris ESS 3.91 Drew Johnson ACCT 3.94 Joan Piasta ESS 4 Trevor Matern BADM 3.78 Alyssa Simbahon INT. ST 3.78 Eric Conner SOCIO 3.76 Anika Steig POLITICS 3.89 Kelly Lazzara BADM 3.92 Jennifer Heinser B. ADM 3.88 Tyler Alvarez PSYCH 3.77 Julia Wartenburger B. INT 3.75 Jeremy Grace ENGLISH 3.78 Cecilia Gratian B. ADM 3.9 Joshua Horeled POLITICS 3.77 Jessy Mekpoh MEDIA STU 4 Alex Delgadillo POLITICS 3.8 Sahar Bala INT STU 4 Will Marquardt HISTORY 3.93 Christian Hernandez Finance 3.76 Peter Smith BADMN 3.81
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