University of Minnesota Athletics
MAC Student-Athlete of the Week
2/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
GOLDEN GOPHER SOFTBALL SENIORS
MAC STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Each week, the McNamara Academic Center for Student-Athletes (MAC) will recognize one University of Minnesota student-athlete for his or her academic achievements. For the first time, six students will be honored collectively. The winners for the week ending May 1st, 2009 are Colleen Conway, Katie Dalen, Briana Hassett, Lauren Pockl, Shannon Stemper and Bethany Wolvington from the softball team.
All six women are graduating this May and earning their degrees from the University of Minnesota. The average GPA among the six seniors is a 3.353.
Co-head softball coach Lisa Bernstein believes that each of the 2009 seniors will be missed not only on the field, but in the classroom.
“This has been an extraordinary group of women. Bethany, Colleen, Katie, Lauren, Shannon and Briana will all be graduating this May and heading into the future completely prepared for the next chapter of their lives. They all excelled in the classroom, on the softball field, and as leaders for our program, “ Bernstein said. “Throughout their careers, each senior was a member of our Leadership Council, participated in numerous community service projects and touched the lives of children throughout the Twin Cities. Each senior made a conscious effort to leave behind a culture of excellence for our program and they should all be very proud of this accomplishment.”
Academic Counselor Jenn Townsend believes that to have such an accomplished group of student-athletes in one team’s graduating class does not happen that often.
“All six of these student-athletes have really taken advantage of every educational opportunity they could at the U. Not only have all of them earned great grades, they also really took ownership of their educations.” Townsend said. “I am amazed at the fantastic accomplishments that they have all achieved. They have pursued double-majors, outside minors, study abroad opportunities and internships. Every student-athlete, really every college student, should look to them as role models for how to balance athletic and academic success and how to prepare for life after college.”
Conway will earn her degree in Business and Marketing Education with a Management minor. Dalen will earn dual degrees in Communication Studies and Business and Marketing Education. Hassett will earn her degree in Marketing. Pockl will earn dual degrees in Global Studies and Political Science. Stemper will earn her degree in Finance and Risk Management/Insurance. Wolvington will earn her degree in Architecture with a minor in Construction Management.
