CLEVELAND, Ohio − Flagler College had 17 of its student-athletes recognized by the Division II Athletics Directors Association (DII ADA). The Academic Achievement Awards is a program that recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes at the Division II level. Flagler was also one-of-five Peach Belt Conference member institutions to have student-athletes honored.
Ninety-eight institutions sent in nominees for the 2010-11 Academic Achievement Awards, while a total of 3,676 student-athletes are being recognized this year. In order for a student-athlete to receive an Academic Achievement Award, the athletics director of the Division II institution must be a current dues paying member of the DII ADA.
Also, the student-athlete must: 1) have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale; 2) have attended a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college level work; and 3) have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during his/her last academic year.
The University of South Carolina Aiken led all Peach Belt schools with 47 student-athletes earning recognition. The University of Montevallo was next with 24, then Flagler, followed by Georgia College (14) and Francis Marion University (12).
Those earning the award from Flagler are: Alex Bonus from men's cross country; Madeleine Pinaire, Laura McKnight, Becca Hoadley and Jennifer Griner from women's cross country; Johan Bergfeld and Dan Reid from men's soccer; Rafaela Faria and Loren Cate from women's soccer; Jen Knurek and Charlsea Owen from women's basketball; Olivia Snipes from volleyball; Leslie Choucard from women's golf; Chelsea Taylor from women's tennis; Devon Hellett from baseball; Skyler Engel from men's tennis; and Stacy Piagno from softball.
Bonus, Pinaire, Bergfeld, McKnight, Faria, Owen, Snipes, Reid, Taylor, Hellett and Griner were all recipient of the award last year. There were 20 award winners last year from Flagler.
The DII ADA is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities; enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics; and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of Division II athletics directors.
Flagler College, located in St. Augustine, Fla., is a member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the Peach Belt Conference and sponsors 13 intercollegiate sports. Flagler became a full-fledged member of NCAA Division II in the summer of 2008 and a member of the Peach Belt on July 1, 2009.
Click here for the D2 ADA official release
