WSU Teams Recognized For Work in Classroom On National Student-Athlete Day

Worcester, MA --- The Worcester State Athletics Department officially recognized the achievements of its student-athletes as a part of National Student-Athlete Day, by holding a reception to honor its fall, winter and spring athletes.

After brief remarks by Vice President for Student Affairs Sibyl Brownlee and Director of Athletics Sue Chapman, Board of Trustee's Chair John Brissette handed out certificates to the Worcester State field hockey team to credit the squad for posting the highest GPA nationally.

The Lancers posted a 3.57 grade point average during the fall semester of 2010. The squad edged out Division I Northwestern (3.54) and Division II Slippery Rock (3.55) for field hockey team with the highest GPA in the NCAA as announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) in February.

In Division III, the squad beat out 120 other institutions for the top spot that included National Champion Bowdoin (3.52) along with WPI (3.44) and Clark (3,48), locally. In the last seven years, Worcester State has been the only public school to earn the top spot and one of three to be in the top five. Out of the 19 players who competed last season, 18 notched over a 3.0 and 12 registered a 3.5 or better.

In addition to getting an official certificate of recognition from the Board of Trustees, each member of the team received a commemorative paper-weight.

The freshman student-athletes in attendance were honored for being inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma (first-year) honor society by Associate Athletics Director and Women's Basketball coach Karen Tessmer.

Head Athletic Trainer Jessica Meany also presented the WSU Student-Athlete Honor Roll Recipients with an official certificate for having a fall 2010 semester grade point average of 3.0 or higher.