FORT MYERS, FL – The FGCU Department of Athletics has announced its monthly academic honorees for August. Women's soccer senior Holly Fritz along with men's soccer sophomore Kareem Riley were named Scholar-Athletes of the Month.

A female and male Eagle is chosen as the FGCU Athletics Scholar-Athlete of the Month throughout the academic year. Factors in the selection for this honor is based on a combination of significant athletic and overall academic success.

Fritz (Cape Coral, FL/Mariner HS/Florida State) currently boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA while majoring in Biology. After transferring to FGCU last fall, the Cape Coral native has made the President's List each semester and most recently was named a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award – one of 30 semifinalists in the nation to receive such recognition.

Fritz is currently working as a research assistant in the science department, working with Dr. Swearingen on a microbiology project that will be published when it is finished.

Midway through the season, the senior has tallied five goals – two game-winners – pairing that with a trio of assists and 13 points.

"I am proud of her, this is absolutely everything that she stands for on and off the field," said head coach Jim Blankenship. "It means a lot to our program for her to receive this, it represents us well since all of our players know it is student first before athlete."

Riley (Couva, Trinidad and Tobago/Presentation College San Fernando) double majors in Legal Studies and Criminal Justice and carries a 3.63 GPA. He has landed a spot on the Dean's List every semester since his arrival last fall.

In five matches this season for the Green and Blue, Riley's three assists are tied for a team-best, playing in over 300 minutes with four shots (two on goal).  

"Kareem has a tremendous balance of performing at a high level athletically and has achieved remarkable academic success," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "He is a model student-athlete for us and represents the values and culture of how we want our program represented."

2018-19 Scholar-Athletes of the Month
August – Holly Fritz (Soccer) Kareem Riley (Soccer)
 
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 70 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 11 seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just seven seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had 33 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best 6th-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. FGCU also collectively earned a 3.27 GPA in the classroom and served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours – being recognized as one of two runner-ups for the inaugural NACAD Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.

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