Pitt Honors Its Scholar-Athletes at Annual Breakfast
2/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 22, 2011
PITTSBURGH-Prior to today's rigorous daily schedule full of class and practice, Pitt's Alumni Association sponsored the annual University of Pittsburgh Scholar-Athlete Awards Breakfast in Alumni Hall this morning. Two hundred and ninety student-athletes were recognized for their excellence in the classroom. Pitt Alumni Association President Dr. Jack Smith was among the special guests invited, while Assistant Athletic Director for Student Life Penny Semaia served as the master of ceremonies.
"When you think about the demands placed upon a student-athlete at a great University, for 290 of our students to achieve a grade point average of over 3.0 is extremely impressive," Athletic Director Steve Pederson said. "Special thanks should be extended to the coaches and staff who encourage and support this kind of excellence at the University of Pittsburgh. We are also proud of the many good works of our student-athletes, including their over 2,700 hours of community service and their commitment to make a difference in the lives of others. This is a great day to celebrate the success of our student-athletes."
Members of Pitt's Academic Support Services for Student-Athletes handed out Blue and Gold awards to students who earned above a 3.0 GPA in 2010. There were 160 student-athletes who accumulated a GPA of 3.0-3.49, another 130 who earned a 3.5-3.99 — including 25 students who achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA.
The list of 4.0 student-athletes included: Elizabeth Adams (tennis), Kellyn Black (cheer and dance), Kimmy Borza (women's tennis), Jonathan Buchanan (men's swimming and diving), Meagan Dooley (volleyball), Minh Evans (tennis), Kaitlyn Flynn (women's track and field), Aaron Hassett (football), Morie Kephart (women's soccer), Rousseau Kluever (men's swimming and diving), Philip Konieczny (baseball), Sarah Looney (women's swimming and diving), Cookie McIntyre (women's swimming and diving), Kristen McMullan (women's swimming and diving), Pierre-Antoine Meunier (men's swimming and diving), Alyssa O'Connell (softball), Bradley Rocco (men's track and field), Krista Rubini (gymnastics), Ben Rubino (cheer and dance), Allison Sanders (cheer and dance), Dan Schneider (football), Ryan Tomei (wrestling), Leah Ulizio (women's track and field), Samson Weiser (men's track and field) and Lauren Zammerilla (cheer and dance).
"For 25 students to achieve a perfect 4.0 GPA is astounding," Pederson added. "While we admire and appreciate their successes in their chosen sport, we value their commitment to education more."
During the program, Pederson announced The Academic Team Awards. The Most Improved Team was softball, which earned a cumulative 2.92 GPA.
Earning the Top Men's Academic award for the second time in as many years was the men's soccer team, boasting a collective 2.89 GPA.
The women's tennis team was named the Top Women's Team and Overall Team awardee for the first time ever.
"The main reason we are at the University of Pittsburgh is education," Head Women's Tennis Coach George Dieffenbach stated. "Our athletes are students first. Long after their athletic careers are completed, their academic success will have lasting results upon their lives.
"Many thanks to Steve Pederson and his administration for providing us with an outstanding Academic Support Services staff that helps our student-athletes achieve their best in the classroom."
This past year, the tennis team recorded an impressive 3.32 GPA overall, as seven members earned a 3.5 GPA or better and three earned a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Players Mentioned
