Maine Honors Scholar-Athletes for Academic Achievement

Complete Release with Scholar-Athlete by Award

ORONO, Maine--The University of Maine announced on Thursday that 250 student-athletes will be honored and recognized for their success in the classroom at the Scholar-Athlete Recognition ceremony on Monday, March 25, 2013. One-hundred sixty five student-athletes will be recognized as Scholar-Athletes for achieving a 3.0 or better grade point average for the 2012 year and/or having a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Eighty-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 250, over half of the student-athletes at the University of Maine. 

Now in its 24th year, the awards have been presented annually since 1989 and 2,994 medallions have been awarded. This is the 10th year in a row that over half of the student-athletes have been honored. The event is sponsored by the University of Maine Foundation, University Credit Union, The M Club and the Alumni Association. 

“The University of Maine is pleased to announce its 2012 Maine Scholar-Athlete Award winners,” said Director of Athletics Steve Abbott. “This group of tremendous student-athletes do not just excel in their sport, but also in the classroom. It is an outstanding achievement that for the 10th year in a row over half of our student-athletes were honored. Our coaches and staff congratulates them on this outstanding accomplishment.”

The University of Maine will honor these student-athletes at a reception on Monday, March 25 in Wells Conference Center at 6:30 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 2012 calendar year. 

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 81 student-athletes will receive bronze medals signifying the first time that they have received the award, 49 will receive silver medals signifying the second time that they have received the award, and 31 student-athletes will receive gold medals signifying the third time that they have received the award. Four student-athletes will receive double gold medals for their fourth time award.