Academic honors
Student-athletes establish record with 3.25 spring GPA
Binghamton student-athletes pushed the bar even higher in the spring semester, recording a program-best 3.25 grade-point average. That mark surpasses the previous high GPA of 3.23, set two years ago. The 3.25 average is well above the overall student body GPA at Binghamton and is the department’s highest in 20 years.
It’s also the 12th consecutive semester that the group surpassed the 3.10 mark.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment by our student-athletes,” Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott said. “They have continued to achieve at the highest level academically at this world-class institution.”
An incredible 71 percent of student-athletes (291 individuals) recorded a 3.0 or higher GPA and more than half (53 percent) posted a 3.3 or higher. Further, more than 40 percent held down a 3.5 or higher.
The women’s tennis team won its fourth straight Academic Cup, given to the team with the highest grade-point average. Head coach Libby McGovern’s squad had a lofty 3.69 team GPA.
Individually, 28 student-athletes representing 10 different teams had a perfect 4.0 in the spring.
Binghamton student-athletes have reached the 3.0 plateau 25 consecutive semesters dating back to 2005.
Binghamton produces 10 America East Presidential Scholar-Athletes
The America East Conference has released its list of Presidential Scholar-Athletes for the 2017-18 academic year and 10 Binghamton student-athletes are included among the selections.
The America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete award recognizes graduating student-athletes who compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher as an undergraduate student and earned their undergraduate degrees this year. In addition to registering a 3.75 GPA for their college career, honored student-athletes must have received their undergraduate degree in the academic year they are honored and have attended their institution for a minimum of two years.
Included among the nine Binghamton honorees are a pair of all-conference selections – Sarah Ngo of the volleyball team and Allison Davis from the women’s cross country and track & field teams. Ngo was also named the America East Volleyball Setter of the Year as well as the Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Four other Binghamton selections were named to the America East All-Academic Team in their sport during the 2017-18 year – Kevin Flesch (men’s soccer), Katie Hatziyianis (women’s soccer), Hannah Shankman (women’s soccer) and J.C. Show (men’s basketball).
Also making the list were Michelle Crook (women’s cross country and track & field), Katie Gaudet (women’s lacrosse), Alyssa Mustafa (women’s track & field) and Jessica Wiede (women’s track & field).
Since the America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award was established in 2014, Binghamton has posted 33 selections. This marks the second straight year Binghamton has had 10 honorees, which is the highest single-year total.
Wrestlers recognized for academic success
Three Binghamton wrestlers were recognized by the EIWA for Academic Achievement during the 2017-18 season. Redshirt sophomore Frankie Garcia, redshirt junior Joe Nelson and redshirt senior Jake Nicholson were named to the 2018 EIWA Academic Achievement Award list for over a 3.0 GPA.
“It’s an honor for these three guys to be named to the EIWA all-academic team,” head coach Kyle Borshoff said. “They excelled this season both on and off the mat, and are great examples for the culture we have for our program. We want to continue to build our team around motivated student athletes that can succeed in all areas while competing at the highest level of our sport.”
To qualify, student-athletes must have achieved a cumulative GPA average of 3.2 and participated in the EIWA Tournament or achieved a cumulative GPA average of 3.0 and qualified for the NCAA Championships through the EIWA.
Track & field puts four on academic team
Sophomores Samantha Beyar, Troy Zanger and Jack Fitzgerald as well as junior Nate Gerhardt all have been named to the 2018 America East Outdoor Track All-Academic Squad.
The America East Outdoor Track All-Academic Squad consists of 10 men and 11 women. Binghamton posted a conference-best three selections on the men’s side.
In order to be eligible, a student-athlete must be a sophomore and have at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA. They must also have been a significant contributor this past outdoor track season.
Beyar and Fitzgerald were previously selected to the America East Indoor Track All-Academic Squad. Beyar won the women’s pole vault at the conference outdoor meet earlier in the month while Fitzgerald tied for second in the men’s high jump.
Zanger and Gerhardt, meanwhile, each make their first appearance on an America East All-Academic Squad. Zanger won the decathlon at the conference outdoor meet while Gerhardt was fourth in the 110 hurdles.
Beyar and Fitzgerald will continue their seasons this weekend at the NCAA East Region Meet.
Binghamton inducts 46 to student-athlete honor society
The Binghamton Athletic Department inducted 46 student-athletes into the National College Athlete Honor Society (Chi Alpha Sigma) on Monday evening in the TAU Club Room of the Events Center. This marks the 12th consecutive year that the athletic department has held such inductions. The 46 inductees represents the largest class to date.
In order to be eligible for induction into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must have achieved junior academic standing by their fifth semester, have attained at least a 3.4 cumulative grade point average and have earned at least one varsity letter in a sport sponsored by the NCAA.
“We are very proud of each of these student-athletes,” Binghamton Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott said. “They represent the ideal student-athlete and embody the best of Binghamton University.”
Since its inception, 402 Binghamton student-athletes have been inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma.
Swimmer named America East Scholar-Athlete
Sophomore swimmer Ross Bernstein has been named the America East Men’s Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete for the Winter of 2017-18.
Each year, the conference chooses one athlete per sport for its Scholar-Athlete accolade. In order to be eligible for America East Scholar-Athlete status, a student-athlete must have attained at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA and have played a significant role within their team.
He had achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.83 in Financial Accounting. Bernstein placed second in the 400 IM (3:55.85), second in the 200 fly (1:48.79) and fourth in the 200 IM (1:50.97) at the America East championships on February 28. The binghamton men’s team placed second overall in the championships.
Bernstein is the sixth male swimmer top earn America east Scholar-Athlete status.
Since 2001, Binghamton has posted 41 America East Scholar-Athletes across all sports.