SUNY Chancellor Announces 2007-08 Scholar Athlete Awards
Four University at Albany-SUNY students are honored

Contact(s):  Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150, ([email protected])

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 12, 2008) -- Interim SUNY Chancellor John B. Clark announced the recipients of the 2007-08 Scholar Athlete Award, which recognizes a combination of academic excellence and outstanding athletic achievement at the Division I, Division III and NJCAA levels.

Four University at Albany student-athletes were among 76 recognized from 27 campuses:

• Brian Lillis (Men's Basketball) of Urbandale, IA
• Kristin Higy (Women's Basketball) of Akron, OH
• Mike Ammann (Men's Lacrosse) of Putnam Valley, N.Y.
• Amber Maisonet (Women's Softball) of Newburgh, N.Y. 

Collectively, these student-athletes have combined outstanding accomplishments in the classroom as well as the playing surface, posting an average GPA of 3.62. They also represent 25 different sports.

"The Scholar Athlete Award is one of the most selective and prestigious awards bestowed by SUNY," said Clark. "It speaks volumes about the hard work, dedication and perseverance that our student athletes exhibit both in classroom and in their particular sport throughout the year. Their success is also a testament to the quality of the programs and curriculum that SUNY coaches, faculty, and staff provide. I commend the recipients as well as their coaches and other mentors on this extraordinary achievement." 

Scholar athletes are selected by the athletic directors at each level of play. Region 3 and Region 15 of the NJCAA select recipients for two-year schools; and the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) and athletic directors from the Independent Institutions select student athletes participating in Division III Programs.

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 427,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses.