FORT MYERS, Fla. – Highlighting a record academic semester for FGCU Athletics, a total of 67 student-athletes were honored at the 11^th Annual Hillmyer-Tremont Academic Luncheon held Feb. 11 in the Cohen Student Union Ballroom. The success of these student-athletes was part of a record-breaking fall semester for the Department of Athletics.
 
To be recognized at Tuesday's luncheon, student-athletes had to achieve a cumulative grade-point-average (GPA) of 3.5-or-higher and have attended FGCU for a minimum of two semesters.
 
In addition to the individuals honored, the department also recognized the softball team for having the highest team GPA (3.58), the women's tennis team for having the highest individual sport semester GPA (3.66), while the women's basketball team and men's cross country team were presented awards for the largest improvements from the spring semester to the fall semester. The #22 nationally ranked women's basketball team improved to a 3.32 GPA (+0.18), while the men's cross country team improved to a 3.16 (+0.19).
 
"One of the best parts of FGCU, is that you can participate at the very highest levels of Division I competition without sacrificing the more important issue of being scholars and preparing yourself for the next phase of life above-and-beyond sports," said FGCU President Martin in his remarks at the luncheon. "You continual to impress this community with your success in competition, but more importantly, in the classroom and through your service."
 
In addition to the recognition of the student-athletes, head softball coach David Deiros was presented the Special Recognition Award which is given annually to someone who has distinguished himself or herself by providing a superior level of service and support to student-athletes at FGCU in their pursuit of academic and athletic success.
 
"Dave not only epitomizes everything that this award represents, he is the definition of an ideal teammate and no doubt bleeds Green & Blue" remarked Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh in presenting the honor. "A leader who is constantly searching for ways to improve and to help others, he initially volunteered himself into a key role within our Hartley Academic Resource Center (HARC) advising team as a VIP tutor.  Also, it is hard to comprehend that there is another D1 collegiate head coach who has taught two chemistry classes and had his team earn a Top 25 nationally ranking!  This has included providing 'office hours' while on the bus or at the hotel during road trips."

Associate Athletics Director/Director of the HARC Kelly Jean Brock added, "Not only does Coach Deiros tutor Chemistry I and 2, Physics and Calculus, he even learned Economics in just one week so that he could help tutor a student-athlete in that subject.  His ability to reach student-athletes and disarm their preconceived notions about the sciences and math allow students to excel in classes they never thought possible."

For the first time in FGCU Athletics history, each of the fifteen teams achieved a 3.0-or-higher team grade-point-average this past fall semester. As grades from Fall 2019 have been finalized, the numbers highlight what has been a staple of Eagles athletics which is continued exceptional performance in the classroom.
 
Overall as a department, FGCU student-athletes achieved 3.33 GPA for the fall semester marking the 21^st consecutive semester to exceed the general undergraduate semester mark (3.01).
 
"We remain extremely proud of the continued tremendous collective results achieved by our student-athletes in the classroom, representing their comprehension of how important academics are to their long-term futures," said Kavanagh. "We are equally thankful for the quality, daily support they receive from our outstanding HARC and campus advisors, faculty and their coaches."
 
When broken down by team performance, three programs which finished above a 3.5 total: women's tennis, softball and swimming and diving. Nine of the 15 sports posted above a 3.30 GPA. Men's golf was the highest male team with a best-ever 3.39 team GPA followed by men's basketball with their own new benchmark 3.28 GPA.  Women's swimming (tied) also achieved a program-best for a semester.
 
Individually, 114 student-athletes earned Dean's List honors with a 3.5-or-high GPA, while 200 made the AD Honor Roll with a 3.0-or-higher. A total of 24 student-athletes achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA for the semester.
 
Seven student-athletes across men's soccer, women's soccer and volleyball earned ASUN All-Academic honors, while three earned the highest honor in the land as Academic All-Americans – Opal Curless, Evi Popadinova, and Lindsey Patton, all from women's soccer.
 
"As a department, we are so proud of what our student-athletes accomplished this past semester. To have every program have above a 3.0 team GPA for a semester is an accomplishment that speaks not to just how hard they work, but to their dedication in the classroom and with their sport," said Brock. "Part of the continued academic success our student-athletes are able to achieve at FGCU is also due to a tremendous network of campus partners and how they encourage, support and challenge our student-athletes."
 
Fall 2019 4.0 GPA Honorees
Ashlee Brentlinger – Women's Soccer
Tanner Bryant – Women's Basketball
Sonora Burnam – Volleyball/Beach Volleyball
Elizabeth Callaghan – Softball
Amanda Carroll – Volleyball
Colby Carter – Baseball
Opal Curless – Women's Soccer
Reedy Davenport – Softball
Racquel Fournet – Softball
Cassidy Fry – Women's Swimming & Diving
Ashley Hayes – Softball
Anna Hogan – Women's Swimming & Diving
Chelsey Lockey – Volleyball
John Long – Baseball
Delaney Nelson – Women's Swimming & Diving
Emily O'Connor – Women's Cross Country
Lourdes Ramalle – Women's Tennis
Meghan Schienvar – Women's Swimming & Diving
Diane Servideo – Softball
Michaela Sizemore – Women's Swimming & Diving
Petra Smetkova – Women's Soccer
Hope Van Wagner – Women's Soccer
Haley Yerxa – Women's Golf
Madeline Wyers – Women's Cross Country
 
Men's Soccer Fall 2019 Academic Honorees
CoSIDA Academic All-District – TC Anderson, Jahan Rajaee
ASUN All-Academic Team – Jahan Rajaee
 
Women's Soccer Fall 2019 Academic Honorees
United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America – Lindsey Patton, Evi Popadinova
CoSIDA Academic All-American – Opal Curless
CoSIDA Academic All-District – Opal Curless, Evi Popadinova
ASUN All-Academic Team – Marjorie Boilesen, Ashlee Brentlinger, Opal Curless, Lindsey Patton, Evi Popadinova
 
Volleyball Fall 2019 Academic Honorees
ASUN All-Academic Team – Cortney VanLiew
 
Former Special Recognition Award Winners
2010 – Bernie & Elaine Lester (Benefactors)
2011 – Hillmyer-Tremont (Foundation Board)
2012 – Dr. Cecil Carter (Retired Faculty Athletics Representative)
2013 – Dr. Jim Wohlpart (Director of Undergraduate Studies)
2014 – Sam & Carol Crimaldi (Benefactors)
2015 – Jorge Lopez (Director of Financial Services)
2016 – Allison Bacigalupi (Director of Academic Advising)
2017 – Dr. Ludmilla Wells (Retired Faculty Athletics Representative)
2018 – Mike & Karen Hartley (Benefactors)
2019 – Marc Laviolette (FGCU Director of Admissions)
2020 – David Deiros (FGCU Head Softball Coach)
 
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E.A.G.L.E. CAMPAIGN
IT TAKES A TEAM to achieve our newest goal - a $10 million campaign to address student-athlete needs in continued academic success, life skills, mental health, nutrition, and strength and conditioning as well as departmental needs in facility expansion and improvement as well as mentoring and leadership training for coaches and staff. The name embodies our mission and the purpose of the E.A.G.L.E. Campaign - Eagle Athletics Generating Lifetime Excellence. Join Our Team and pledge your gift today to help the Eagles of tomorrow!
 
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
 
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 80 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 12-plus seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just eight-plus 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 women's basketball (2019-20) and both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as three of the most recent. 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. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2018 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for twenty-one consecutive semesters.  The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 – being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.

 
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