129 Cleveland State Student-Athletes Honored For Academic Success

April 13, 2006

Cleveland, Ohio - One hundred and twenty nine student-athletes, representing every intercollegiate sport sponsored at Cleveland State University, were recognized for their academic accomplishments at the 16th annual CSU Academic Honors Luncheon, which was held on Thursday afternoon (April 13) in the Henry Goodman Arena in the Wolstein Center.

"The Academic Honors Luncheon celebrates what intercollegiate athletics is all about," CSU Director of Athletics Lee Reed said. "We are quick to recognize the athletic achievements of our student-athletes but may be guilty of taking for granted their academic accomplishments. This luncheon allows us to take a moment to congratulate our student-athletes who are able to successfully maintain a balance between athletics and academics."

The 129 student-athletes were recognized for maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better through the end of the fall, 2005 semester. The softball team had 15 student-athletes honored, the most by an CSU team. Volleyball was second with 13 student-athletes honored while baseball and women's soccer each had 11 and women's fencing and men's and women's swimming had 10 each. Women's cross country had all seven of its student-athletes recognized.

Several additional awards were handed out at the luncheon. Men's tennis standout Jay Tee (Davenport, Iowa/Central) received the sixth annual John McLendon Award, which is given to the student-athlete who best represents the ideals and personal philosophy of McLendon, a former CSU men's basketball coach who is an enshrinee in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Tee, the president of CSU's Student-Athlete Advisory Council, is a three-time All-Horizon League selection.

Softball catcher/pitcher Jennifer Thornberry (New Bloomington, Ohio/Elgin) received the President's Award as the graduating senior student-athlete with the highest grade point average. Thornberry has a 3.98 GPA and will graduate next month with a degree in graphic design.

The "Best of the Best" Team Award, which is given to the sport having the highest team grade point average in the department, went to softball for the second straight year. The 18 softball student-athletes combined for a 3.53 team GPA.

Two awards which are not given every year were handed out as well.

Men's diver Thatcher Carr (Russell, Ohio/University School) received the Faculty Athletic Representative's Award for showing the most profound improvement academically from freshman year through graduation. Carr was named the Horizon League Diver of the Year in both seasons at CSU, winning three of the four diving events he competed in at the league championships.

Volleyball defensive standout Alisa Hatcher (Bellefontaine, Ohio), who came back from a life-threatening illness to set a school record with 455 digs, received the James LaMastra Award, which is awarded to the individual that demonstrates unyielding courage and class in the face of adversity.

Twenty-eight student-athletes received additional recognition for being a member of the Dean's List during every term they have attended at CSU, including Katie Calhoon (Volleyball), Shannon Graves (Softball), Grace Luginbuhl (Softball), Jenna Maddocks (Volleyball), Daniel Thomasson (Men's Swimming), Adam Wroblewski (Men's Swimming) and Thornberry (Softball), each of whom have been on the Dean's List for seven consecutive terms.