Academic and sportsmanship highlights
BU finishes strong in America East rankings
Binghamton placed third among the nine schools in the America East Academic Cup, the conference released on Wednesday. The academic standing, together with BU’s fifth-place showing in the Commissioner’s Cup gives the Bearcats another strong combined finish in the two primary measures of success. Binghamton, which produced a 3.12 GPA, is one of just two schools in the conference to earn a top-five place in both competitions.
Hartford captured the Academic Cup with a 3.24 GPA. New Hampshire was in second place with a 3.18, followed by Binghamton and Vermont (3.12 GPA each) and Maine (3.11) to round out the top-five. Stony Brook (3.08), Boston University (3.07), Albany (3.01) and UMBC (2.83) rounded out the academic rankings.
It marked the fifth straight year that Binghamton student-athletes have eclipsed the 3.10 mark and the fifth time in the last seven years that BU has earned a top-four position in the conference. Binghamton has captured two Academic Cups (2001-02 and 2002-03).
Record number of student-athletes make AD Honor Roll
A record number of Binghamton student-athletes earned a 3.3 or higher grade-point average for the spring semester.
Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott announced Monday that 195 student-athletes met the lofty 3.3 GPA threshold in the spring and have been recognized on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. The number of honorees represents 47 percent of BU’s total student-athlete body - also equaling the highest percentage in the four semesters since the Honor Roll was instituted.
“This long list of worthy individuals further indicates the academic commitment of our student-athletes and shows that their dedication on the playing field is matched with equal achievement in the classroom.” Elliott said.
Men’s soccer player Hughes earns highest sportsmanship award in America East
Junior back Robbie Hughes has been named the male recipient of the 2012-13 America East Sportsmanship Award. The announcement was made at the conference’s annual awards dinner in Portland, Maine.
To be nominated for the America East Sportsmanship Award, an individual or team must have demonstrated consistently the values of caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility in his or her daily participation in intercollegiate athletics. Hughes is now automatically eligible for the NCAA Sportsmanship Award, which the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct will determine in July.
Hughes transferred to Binghamton from Syracuse prior to the 2012 season. He was a starting back and a team leader from the start of preseason.
Women’s soccer recognized by NCAA for top academic achievement
Binghamton women’s soccer has received the highest academic honor from the NCAA. The program earned an Academic Progress Rate (APR) Public Recognition Award for the 2011-12 year. The honor is reserved for teams whose multi-year APR is in the top 10 percent across the country within their sport. The team posted an APR score of 997 (out of 1000) during 2011-12.
Each year, the NCAA tracks the classroom performance of student-athletes on every Division I team through the annual scorecard of academic achievement, known as APR. The rate measures eligibility, graduation and retention each semester or quarter and provides a clear picture of the academic performance in each sport. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-2012 academic years.
Honor Society welcomes 21 student-athletes
The Binghamton Athletic Department inducted 21 student-athletes into the National College Athlete Honor Society (Chi Alpha Sigma) on April 23 in the TAU Club Room of the Events Center. This marks the eighth year that the athletic department has held inductions.
To be eligible for induction into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must have achieved junior academic standing by their fifth semester, have 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 2006, 221 Binghamton student-athletes have been inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma.