University of Minnesota Athletics
Robertson and Wallace Highlights Scholar-Athlete Award Ceremony Winners
2/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Last night academic achievements were the focal point for 559 Gopher student-athletes, as the 19th Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Ceremony was held in Memorial Hall on the U of M campus. McNamara Academic Center Director, Mark Nelson and his staff honored 559 true student-athletes, 47 of which had a perfect 4.0, as each of the 25 Gopher sports teams had multiple recipients. A total of 331 student-athletes earned the distinction of being called a Gold scholar-athlete, while 226 were awarded the Maroon scholar-athlete title. To be honored as a Gold scholar-athlete, each recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0, while participating in intercollegiate athletics at the U. While Maroon scholar-athletes must have earned a 3.0 GPA in either Spring 2007 or Fall 2007.
In addition to honoring the Maroon and Gold scholar-athletes, the MAC also honored the Top-Five male and female scholar-athletes. To be considered a Top Five scholar-athlete, each recipient must be an undergraduate scholar-athlete who has been on their respective team for three consecutive years and earned one of the highest cumulative GPAs. The men’s Top Five scholar-athletes were highlighted by two-time recipients Mathew Nohelty (baseball) and Seigin Takamura (track and field). They were joined by Michael Frankberg (football), Jeffery Tow Arnett (football), and Cole Young (swimming and diving). Heading up the list of female scholar-athletes was two-time honoree Hailey McCarthy (soccer). Jade Beattie (gymnastics), Heather Dorniden (track and field), Erica Niemiec (rowing), and Jennifer Shaughnessy (swimming and diving) rounded out the women’s Top Five.
Without a doubt the biggest award of the evening was bestowed to Brooke Robertson (track and field) and Jakari Wallace (football). Robertson and Wallace were presented the Richard “Pinky” McNamara Student-Athlete Achievement Award for their ability to inspire all of us by making an extraordinary effort to succeed regardless of difficult circumstances. Robertson, who was in a near fatal boating accident this past summer, has endured countless hours of physical therapy while attending school full-time. While her athletic career has unfortunately come to an end, Robertson continues to strive in the classroom. Wallace, whose collegiate and professional athletic career was plagued with injuries, has returned to the U to finish his degree and is just a few short internship hours away from graduation.
In honor of his commitment to the academic success of our student-athletes, Craig Swan was honored with the Tom H. Swain Campus Recognition Award. “My staff and I are extremely delighted to be able to honor Craig Swan by presenting him with the Tom H. Swain Campus Recognition Award at our 19th Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet,” said MAC director, Mark Nelson. “Craig has been very instrumental in assisting our efforts and those of our student-athletes as we have work to improve our graduation rates and enhance the overall experience of our student-athletes. Craig will be dearly missed now that he has retired from his position as the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education, but we now look forward to working with his replacement Bob McMaster.”
In addition to the individual awards, the MAC also honored the Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Golf, Men’s Cross Country, and Men’s Swimming and Diving teams with the Outstanding Academic Team award.
