Maine Honors Scholar-Athletes for Academic Achievement
ORONO, Maine--The University of Maine announced on Wednesday that 239 student-athletes will be honored and recognized for their success in the classroom at the Scholar-Athlete Recognition ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011. One-hundred seventy four student-athletes will be recognized as Scholar-Athletes for achieving a 3.0 or better grade point average for the 2010 year and/or having a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Sixty-five first-year student-athletes will also be honored as *Rising Stars* for earning a 3.0 or better in their first semester at Maine. The Scholar-Athletes and *Rising Stars* total 239, over half of the student-athletes at the University of Maine.
Now in its 22nd year, the awards have been presented annually since 1989 and 2,654 medallions have been awarded. This is the eighth year in a row that over half of the student-athletes have been honored. The event is sponsored by the University of Maine Foundation, The M Club and the University Credit Union.
“The University of Maine is pleased to announce its 2011 Maine Scholar-Athlete Award winners,” said Director of Athletics Steve Abbott. “This group of exceptional student-athletes are not only standouts in their sport, but also in the classroom. It is an amazing accomplishment that for the eighth year in a row over half of our student-athletes were honored. Everyone involved with Maine athletics congratulates them on this outstanding feat.”
The University of Maine will honor these student-athletes at a reception on Sunday, Feb. 6 in Wells Conference Center at 12:00 p.m., and also announce the annual recipients of the “M” Club Dean Smith Award, presented to the top male and female scholar-athlete. Team Maine will also be announced, honoring the sophomore, junior or senior from each team who has achieved the highest grade point average for the 2010 calendar year. Also recognized will be the Honorary M Club Award recipients. In addition, all scholar-athletes and the *Rising Stars* will be recognized at halftime of the men’s basketball game against UMBC, which begins at 2:00 pm at Alfond Arena.
All scholar-athletes will receive a medallion, the color of which represents the number of years that a recipient has earned the award. This year 71 student-athletes will receive bronze medals signifying the first time that they have received the award, 61 will receive silver medals signifying the second time that they have received the award, and 34 student-athletes will receive gold medals signifying the third time that they have received the award. Eight student-athletes will receive double gold medals for their fourth time award. In addition, 65 first-year student-athletes will be honored as *Rising Stars* for earning a 3.0 or better in their first semester at Maine.
Complete List of Student-Athletes Honored
