Record number of 2005-06 SJSU ?Scholar-Athletes?

San Jose, Calif.-----A record number 152 student-athletes were recognized for academic success and excellence at the 2006 San Jose State University “Scholar-Athlete” reception held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown San Jose on October 25.

Student-athletes who earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale for the 2005-06 academic year were eligible for recognition from the University’s Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE BY THE NUMBERS

Of the 152 “Scholar-Athletes,” 75 also received academic All-Conference honors from the Western Athletic Conference or the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. These “Scholar-Athletes” maintained a 3.00 or better cumulative grade-point average and participated in at least 50 percent of their team’s contests during the academic year.

The percentage increase of "Scholar-Athletes" in the student-athlete population year-over-year was 53 percent. The percentage of student-athletes in the student-athlete population who achieved a 3.00 or better grade-point average increased to 40 percent compared to 34 percent in the 2004-05 academic year.

"Our goal is for every stuent-athlete to graduate and become a good citizen," San Jose State University director of athletics Tom Bowen said to those in attendance.

STANDOUT STUDENT-ATHLETES & TOP TEAMS

Rebecca Palm and Tabitha Guzman of the cross country team; Alexis Higlett, water polo; Kelly Harrison, softball; and Rachel Schwartz, golf, were cited as the five female student-athletes with the highest grade-point average. Baseball players Greg Fyfe and Josh Amberson; Nick Kovacevich and Eric Bloom, men’s basketball and Hiroki Akiyama, soccer, registered the top-five grade-point averages among the six men’s sports teams.

The women’s tennis team received the “Order of Sparta Team GPA Award” for the highest combined team grade-point average for the fall and spring semesters. The women’s cross country, women’s gymnastics and women’s swimming teams received honorable mention recognition for team grade-point averages above 3.00 each semester.

PRESIDENT KASSING OFFERS PRAISE

"Tonight is a chance to celebrate what you've done. You're excelling in two different disciplines at a very high level," said University President Don W. Kassing to the student-athletes who were present. "I'm terribly proud of you and what you accomplished in the last year."