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 Mizzou Athletics |
Mizzou Athletes Honored At Spring Academic Breakfast
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April 16, 2008
Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri Department of Intercollegiate Athletics honored its outstanding student-athletes for their numerous achievements in the classroom and in the community this morning as part of its annual Spring Academic Awards Breakfast, held at Memorial Union. At the breakfast, Director of Athletic Academic Services Dr. Joe Scogin indicated that the past year has been marked by outstanding success in the classroom for Tiger student-athletes. Scogin said that the most recent winter and fall semester grade point averages were 2.88 and 2.81, respectively, for all MU student-athletes, which were both just shy of school records, while approximately 50 percent of MU's nearly 500 student athletes achieved a 3.0 grade point average or better during both of the last two terms (Winter, `07 and Fall, '07). Mizzou had 224 student-athletes named to the Big 12 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll, and enjoyed a record 170 student-athletes named to their respective dean's list during the fall of 2007. As previously reported, Mizzou also led the Big 12 Conference in Academic Progress Rate for the 2006-07 year. The APR is a broad based new measurement that tracks a school's student-athletes in their progress toward their degree, focusing on elements of retention and eligibility. Nine MU teams had the highest APR for their sports in the Big 12 Conference, which was the most by any school in the league (Kansas was next-most, with four sport leaders).
Senior football student-athlete Chase Patton received arguably the top individual award of the day, as he was honored with the Director of Athletics Leadership Award, which recognizes scholarship, community service, leadership qualities, strong ethical behavior and social responsibility. Patton will receive a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship at MU through the Department of Athletics for winning the award. Other finalists for the scholarship were Julie Abaray (gymnastics), Michelle Collins (soccer), Kate Greer (track and field), Arica Jacinto (swimming and diving), and Dan Pietroburgo (baseball). Abaray and Pietroburgo were presented with the 2007 Big 12 Conference Scholar-Athlete Medal, which is presented to a male and female in their final year of eligibility who has achieved significant accomplishments in both athletics and academics. Alicia Hatcher (gymnastics) and Peter Malnati (men's golf) were chosen the Varsity M Student-Athletes of the Year, which goes to one male and female with outstanding academic and athletic achievements, along with considerable involvement in the community. The Mizzou football team was awarded the 2007 Community Service Life Skills Award of Excellence, as Gary Pinkel's team was lauded for their numerous activities and involvements with community-based organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Central Missouri Food Bank, the Starlight Literacy Reading Program, Lunch in the Park after-school program, as well as multiple good-will visits to local and area children's hospitals and local schools. Winners of the 2007 Dr. Judith A. Wells Academic Achievement Award, which goes annually to recognize exemplary dedication to and achievement of academic goals set by the Total Person Program include: La'Roderick Thomas (football), Ashley Hamblin (soccer), Raymond Jordan (wrestling) and Aimee Hukill (swimming and diving). Women's golf coach Stephanie Priesmeyer was honored for her outstanding support and effort to the academic success of her team with the 2007 Coach's Academic Enhancement Award. |
