FGCU Student-Athletes Excel in Their Sports and in the Classroom  -  Feb. 4, 2010

FGCU student-athletes continued to excel in the classroom during the 2009 Fall Semester as 144 out of 239 total student-athletes (60% of the Eagles) earned a minimum 3.0 grade point average (4.0 scale) during the grading period to earn a spot on the Florida Gulf Coast University Athletic Director's Honor Roll. Thirty-one of those student-athletes will be recognized during the department’s inaugural Athletics Academic Honors Luncheon this Friday afternoon at the Student Union Ballroom. Those student-athletes who have maintained at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average throughout their FGCU careers, with a minimum one full year completed at the University, will be honored.

“We are extremely proud of the continued, collective outstanding academic performances of our student-athletes,” said FGCU Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh. “In particular, I want to commend those who achieved the tremendous distinction of recording straight A’s during the past semester. These significant combined results remain a by-product of the diligent efforts of the fine young men and women in our program, as well as the daily contributions by our coaches, academic advising units and FGCU University’s quality faculty. We also look forward to honoring our top cumulative performers at our upcoming (Friday, February 5th) inaugural Academic Honors Luncheon.”

FGCU Athletics releases the Athletic Director's Honor Roll at the conclusion of the Fall and Spring semesters each year. In order to earn a spot on the AD Honor Roll, active student-athletes registered for at least 12 hours (a minimum nine graded) must earn a minimum 3.0 grade point average.

Among the student-athletes to earn a spot on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll for the Fall Semester, 50 made the Dean’s list (3.5 GPA during the semester with 12 graded hours), 17 made the President’s list (4.0 GPA during the semester with 12 graded hours), and 19 overall turned in perfect 4.0 semester GPA's.

Aided by their repeat excellent performance during the Fall Semester, two student-athletes continue to carry perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point averages over at least two FGCU semesters: Sophomore swimmer Teri Lytle (Melbourne, FL/Central Catholic), and sophomore women's soccer player Gina Petracco (Fort Myers, FL/Bishop Verot).

FGCU student-athletes collectively finished the Fall Semester with a 3.11 GPA, compared to a 2.95 GPA for all university students. On a cumulative basis the Eagles have generated a program record 3.15 grade point average in relation to the combined undergraduate rate of 2.97. The Blue and Green’s athletes have now combined to earn higher GPA’s than the general student body for six of the past seven semesters, and 11 of 19 since FGCU introduced athletics in the Fall of 2000. Ten of the Eagles fourteen teams achieved a semester GPA of 3.0 or higher, led by women’s tennis’ 3.38 and women’s soccer’s 3.34 GPA. Eleven teams currently have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, topped by women’s cross country’s 3.53 and women’s swimming & diving’s 3.35 GPA.

Florida Gulf Coast also had 89 student-athletes named to their Conference's Fall All-Academic teams in a statement released by the conference office on Wednesday, January 27 that included the sports of men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball players. To be named A-Sun and Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (Swimming & Diving) All-Academic, a student-athlete must achieve a 3.0 grade point average or higher in the classroom during their semester of competition. The swimming and diving and women's soccer team had the most members earn academic honors with 22 each, men's soccer team had 14 honorees, volleyball had 11, women’s basketball and cross-country had six, while men’s basketball and cross country each had four student-athletes earn accolades.

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The "student" in student-athlete took center stage Friday afternoon as President Wilson Bradshaw was amongst Florida Gulf Coast University administrators who honored 33 FGCU student-athletes and cheerleaders who have excelled in the classroom during the inaugural Athletic Academic Honors Luncheon in the Student Union Ballroom. In addition to team excellence awards, Bernie and Elaine Lester were honored with the initial FGCU Athletics Service Award.

The 33 individuals honored Friday have been at FGCU for at least two semesters and boast a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average. Overall, 19 FGCU student-athletes posted 4.0 semester GPA's last fall and 144 out of 239 total student-athletes (60-percent) earned a spot on the Florida Gulf Coast University Athletic Director's Honor Roll for posting a minimum 3.0 semester grade point average during the 2009 Fall term. FGCU student-athletes have combined for a record cumulative3.15 department grade point average, exceeding the University’s general student body 2.97 combined GPA.

Coach Jim Blankenship’s women’s soccer team was recognized for posting the best semester grade point average (3.34) during the Fall semester among team sports programs. Coach Jennifer Gabou’s women's tennis team (3.38 semester GPA) earned the honor among individual team sports, as well as being the program with the most improved team gpa (.81 better than the 2009 Spring semester).

The Lesters were honored for their tremendous overall commitment to FGCU student-athletes since the inception of Eagles Athletics in the Fall of 2000. This has been demonstrated through their financial support of athletic scholarships, as well as their moral support at countless home and away events despite their home residence of Lakeland, Fla.