FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU Department of Athletics has announced its third pair of 2019-20 monthly academic honorees. Women's soccer senior
Lindsey Patton and men's soccer junior
Kareem Riley were named Scholar-Athletes of the Month for October.
A female and male Eagle are chosen as the FGCU Athletics Scholar-Athlete of the Month throughout the academic year. Factors in the selection for this honor include a combination of significant athletic and overall academic success.
Patton (Jacksonville, FL/Oakleaf HS) carries a 3.93 GPA while pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. The Jacksonville native started all 17 games on the backline for the Eagles this season logging just over 1,550 minutes. For the third-consecutive year, Patton was named an ASUN First Teamer as she was dubbed the league's Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, Patton also claimed a spot ASUN All-Academic list for a third-straight season. Patton helped lead the Eagles to their ninth ASUN title in 10 regular seasons, claiming three in her four years.
"I'm very proud of the season Lindsey had on the field and in the classroom," said head coach
Jim Blankenship. "She's worked very hard during her time here and I'm glad to see this recognition come her way."
Riley (Couva, Trinidad & Tobago/Presentation College San Fernando) is a Legal Studies major and holds a 3.67 GPA. The junior midfielder has 15 starts in 17 matches this season for the Eagles, recording nearly 1,360 minutes. He's dished out two assists and has 17 shots with seven coming on frame. Last week, Riley was named to the ASUN Second Team as the Eagles defeated UNF this past Sunday, 2-1, to advance to the championship final against top-seeded NJIT this Saturday night in Newark, N.J.
"Kareem is a shining example for everyone in our program, said head coach
Jesse Cormier. "He has goals and dreams that include soccer and some that don't. He works every day to be exceptional on the field, and academically to prepare himself for life after soccer with ideas on how to utilize his degree and reach the highest levels of education."
2019-20 Scholar-Athletes of the Month
August – Dana Axner (Volleyball) and
Jahan Rajaee (Men's Soccer)
September –
Evdokia Popadinova (Women's Soccer) and Marcelo Tebet (Men's Tennis)
October –
Lindsey Patton (Women's Soccer) and
Kareem Riley (Men's Soccer)
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 80 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 a combined 36 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport - including both men's soccer, women's soccer, and women's basketball again in 2018-19. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in spring 2018 and have outpaced their institution's undergraduate student body GPA each of the past 20 semesters. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours - being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl in 2017.
