HIGHLIGHTING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF STUDENT-ATHLETES The Blue Ribbon

WINTER 2014

January 2014

Letter from the Editors

As the university settles into the new year, Athletic Academic Advising and the Department of Athletics are proud to share our Blue Ribbon Newsletter. This annual publication highlights the academic achievements of DePaul student-athletes.

Numerous student-athletes received academic accolades last year, which are detailed in the newsletter. We are especially pleased that 151 student-athletes were named to the 2012-2013 BIG EAST All-Academic Team by earning a 3.0 or higher GPA for the year. The program as a whole recorded a 3.357 GPA. A conference best eight teams earned the highest GPA in the for their respective sport—women’s basketball, golf, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, women’s indoor track and field and women’s outdoor track and field. Additionally, our women’s basketball team was ranked second in the nation academically.

We are very proud of these accomplishments and we know that many of you have played an important role in the academic success our student-athletes enjoy. We wish to thank you for your support. Student-athletes work hard to balance the rigors of academics and the demands of their sport. The assistance and support they receive from faculty and staff on campus is greatly appreciated.

To celebrate these accomplishments, we ask that you join us in honoring our BIG EAST All-Academic Team at our annual half-time ceremony during the DePaul versus Villanova University men’s basketball game on February 12 at 6 p.m. at .

Our departments work hard every day to make DePaul Athletics something of which the university community can be proud. Please continue to support our student-athletes’ efforts both in the classroom and in competition. We hope you can join us at an athletic event in the near future—our student-athletes would love to see you at one of their competitions.

If we can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Kate O’Brien, Ph.D. Jean Lenti Ponsetto Director of Athletic Academic Advising Director of Athletics (773) 325-7504 [email protected](773) 325-7254 [email protected] Dean’s List 2012-2013 To be named to the Dean’s List, full-time undergraduate students must earn a term GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Men’s Basketball Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field Women’s Basketball Women’s Cross Country/ Cory Dolins FQ,SQ Matthew Babicz WQ Alexa Gallagher FQ Track & Field Donnavan Kirk FQ, SQ Andrew Diehn SQ Katherine Harry FQ, WQ, SQ Rebecca Adamcheck WQ DeJuan Marrero FQ Benjamin Hiromura FQ, WQ, SQ Chanise Jenkins FQ Blair Bartosiewicz FQ Edwind McGhee FQ, WQ, SQ Edward McDaniel FQ Gena Lenti FQ, WQ, SQ Loreal Curtis SQ Peter Ryckbosch FQ, WQ, SQ Mackenzie Melto FQ Anna Martin WQ, SQ Julie Dambra FQ, WQ, SQ Christopher Miedema FQ Centrese McGee FQ, WQ, SQ Ayesha Ewing FQ, WQ Golf Matthew Pietrus FQ, WQ, SQ Jasmine Penny WQ, SQ Taylor Farley FQ Moritz Ackerhans FQ, WQ, SQ Maximilian Rodrigues WQ, SQ Megan Podkowa FQ, WQ, SQ Danielle Hernando FQ, WQ, SQ Russell Budd WQ, SQ Ian Sanchez FQ, WQ, SQ Kelsey Reynolds FQ, WQ, SQ Ashley Holden FQ, SQ Adrian Halimi FQ, WQ, SQ Tyler Schmitt WQ, SQ Megan Rogowski FQ, WQ, SQ Lindsey Holden FQ, WQ, SQ Moritz Hausweiler FQ, WQ, SQ Blake Thompson WQ Brooke Schulte FQ, WQ, SQ Taylor Hynes WQ, SQ Jan Julicher FQ, WQ, SQ Joseph Turner WQ Kelsey Smith FQ, WQ, SQ Elizabeth Jefferson FQ Alexander Lloyd WQ Ryan Van Fossen FQ, SQ Jacqueline Kasal FQ, WQ, SQ John Pavelko FQ, WQ, SQ Women’s Soccer Erin McCoy WQ, SQ Bradley Peterson FQ, SQ Softball Kelly Blumberg WQ , SQ Alexandra Muller FQ Mark Sanchez FQ, WQ, SQ Brittany Boesel FQ, WQ, SQ Sara Brathwaite FQ, WQ, SQ Amanda Piche FQ, WQ, SQ Bradley Stephens FQ, WQ, SQ Staci Bonezek FQ, WQ MaryKate Cicinelli FQ, WQ Hannah Pulliam SQ Alexandria Braden SQ Kimberly Denne WQ, SQ Molly Shiroishi FQ, WQ, SQ Men’s Soccer Bree Brown WQ Ashleigh Goddard FQ, WQ, SQ Alexandra Vekich WQ Jake Douglas FQ, WQ, SQ Cherelle Chambers FQ, WQ, SQ Claire Hanold FQ, WQ, SQ Tayler Whittler FQ, WQ, SQ Zachary Forbes FQ, WQ Samantha Dodd WQ, SQ Kylie Nordness FQ, SQ Arturo Garza FQ, WQ Kali Gardner FQ, SQ Erin Pekovitch FQ, WQ, SQ Kyle Gustafson FQ, WQ, SQ Alexandria Lenti WQ, SQ Rachel Pitman FQ, WQ, SQ Joseph Hart FQ, WQ, SQ Gena Lenti FQ, WQ, SQ Megan Pyrz FQ, WQ, SQ Cale Hartle SQ Morgan Maize FQ Rebekah Roller FQ, WQ, SQ Brian Hindle WQ, SQ Amanda Mener FQ, WQ, SQ Brianna Ryce FQ, WQ, SQ Anthony Hunter FQ, WQ, SQ Hannah Penna FQ Ren Stoecklin FQ, WQ, SQ Benjamin Lussier WQ, SQ Kirsten Verdun FQ, WQ, SQ Elise Wyatt FQ, WQ, SQ Daniel Michallik FQ Alisha Warren FQ Jack Rubin FQ, WQ, SQ Women’s Tennis Brian Schultz WQ Volleyball Matea Cutura FQ Eric Sorby FQ, WQ, SQ Rachel Aumann FQ, WQ, SQ Patricia Fargas FQ, WQ, SQ Michael Stankiewicz WQ, SQ Tyler Graham FQ, WQ, SQ Jarret Fisher FQ, WQ, SQ Austin Toth FQ, WQ, SQ Callie Huebener FQ Zhavia Gray SQ Alexander Wallace FQ Randi Leath FQ, WQ, SQ Jasmin Kling FQ, WQ, SQ Curtis Weir FQ, WQ, SQ Genesis Reyes FQ, SQ Kelsey Lawson FQ, WQ, SQ Allyson Rooks FQ, WQ, SQ Rebeca Mitrea FQ, WQ, SQ Men’s Tennis Briana Spruill WQ Carolin Neumann FQ, WQ, SQ Jan-Willem Feilzer FQ, WQ, SQ Vesela Zapryanova WQ, SQ Zaina Sufi FQ, WQ, SQ Mathias Hambach FQ, WQ, SQ Ana Vladutu WQ, SQ Paul John FQ, WQ Kyle Johnson FQ, WQ Alexandre Latychev WQ, SQ Sten Leusink FQ Adam Reinhart FQ, WQ, SQ

2012-2013 Quick Statistics

446 289 74 3.357 Total number of student-athletes Total number of student-athletes Total number of student-athletes 2012-2013 Athletic Department GPA (78.1%) who were named to (50.6%) who were named to the (13.0%) who recorded a 4.0 GPA the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll Dean’s List (GPA 3.5 or higher) (GPA 3.0 or higher) Athletic Director’s Honor Roll 2012-2013 To be named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, student-athletes must earn a term GPA of 3.0 or greater. Student-athletes who earned a 4.0 term GPA in fall, winter and/or spring are in bold.

Men’s Basketball Men’s Tennis Volleyball Women’s Tennis Cory Dolins FQ, WQ, SQ Filip Dzanko WQ Rachel Aumann FQ, WQ, SQ Matea Cutura FQ, WQ, SQ Donnavan Kirk FQ, WQ, SQ Jan-Willem Feilzer FQ, WQ, SQ Tyler Graham FQ, WQ, SQ Patricia Fargas FQ, WQ, SQ DeJuan Marrero FQ, WQ Mathias Hambach FQ, WQ, SQ Aubree Hord FQ, WQ, SQ Jarret Fisher FQ, WQ, SQ Edwind McGhee FQ, WQ, SQ Paul John FQ, WQ, SQ Callie Huebener FQ Zhavia Gray FQ, WQ, SQ Cleveland Melvin FQ Kyle Johnson FQ, WQ, SQ Randi Leath FQ, WQ, SQ Jasmin Kling FQ, WQ, SQ Moses Morgan FQ Alexandre Latychev WQ, SQ Genesis Reyes FQ, WQ, SQ Kelsey Lawson FQ, WQ, SQ Stuart Pirri FQ, WQ Sten Leusink FQ, WQ, SQ Natalie Rizzo WQ, SQ Rebeca Mitrea FQ, WQ, SQ Jodan Price FQ Adam Reinhart FQ, WQ, SQ Allyson Rooks FQ, WQ, SQ Carolin Neumann FQ, WQ, SQ Peter Ryckbosch FQ, WQ, SQ Anastasiya Shutava FQ, WQ, SQ Zaina Sufi FQ, WQ, SQ Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field Briana Spruill WQ, SQ Ana Vladutu FQ, WQ, SQ Golf Herald Alvarez FQ, WQ Laura Witt FQ, SQ Moritz Ackerhans FQ, WQ, SQ Alejandro Amaya SQ Vesela Zapryanova FQ, WQ, SQ Women’s Cross Country/ Russell Budd FQ, WQ, SQ Matthew Babicz FQ, WQ, SQ Track & Field Adrian Halimi FQ, WQ, SQ Andrew Diehn FQ, WQ, SQ Women’s Basketball Rebecca Adamcheck FQ, WQ, SQ Moritz Hausweiler FQ, WQ, SQ Drew Edwards FQ, WQ, SQ Alexa Gallagher FQ, SQ Blair Bartosiewicz FQ, SQ Jan Julicher FQ, WQ, SQ Alexander Fisher FQ, WQ, SQ Katherine Harry FQ, WQ, SQ Loreal Curtis FQ, WQ, SQ Alexander Lloyd WQ, SQ Zachary Gaskell FQ, WQ, SQ Brandi Harvey-Carr FQ, WQ, SQ Julie Dambra FQ, WQ, SQ John Pavelko FQ, WQ, SQ Benjamin Hiromura FQ, WQ, SQ Brittany Hrynko FQ, WQ Jazmyne Durrah FQ, WQ Bradley Peterson FQ, WQ, SQ Zachary Koronkiewicz FQ, WQ, SQ Chanise Jenkins FQ, WQ, SQ Colleen Earl SQ Mark Sanchez FQ, WQ, SQ Adam Kovacs WQ Gena Lenti FQ, WQ, SQ Ayesha Ewing FQ, WQ, SQ Bradley Stephens FQ, WQ, SQ Edward McDaniel FQ, WQ, SQ Anna Martin FQ, WQ, SQ Taylor Farley FQ, WQ, SQ Mackenzie Melto FQ, WQ, SQ Centrese McGee FQ, WQ, SQ Sarah Gorden FQ, WQ, SQ Men’s Soccer Kareem Midani FQ, WQ Jasmine Penny FQ, SQ Danielle Hernando FQ, WQ, SQ Antonio Aguilar SQ Christopher Miedema FQ Megan Podkowa FQ, WQ, SQ Lindsey Holden FQ, WQ, SQ Jared Blincow FQ, WQ, SQ Matthew Pietrus FQ, WQ, SQ Kelsey Reynolds FQ, WQ, SQ Ashley Holden FQ, WQ, SQ Joseph Brinckwirth FQ, WQ, SQ Maximilian Rodrigues FQ, WQ, SQ Megan Rogowski FQ, WQ, SQ Taylor Hynes WQ, SQ Jake Douglas FQ, WQ, SQ Ian Sanchez FQ, WQ, SQ Brooke Schulte FQ, WQ, SQ Elizabeth Jefferson FQ, WQ, SQ Zachary Forbes FQ, WQ, SQ Tyler Schmitt FQ, WQ, SQ Kelsey Smith FQ, WQ, SQ Jacqueline Kasal FQ, WQ, SQ Thiago Ganancio FQ, WQ, SQ Blake Thompson FQ, WQ Erin McCoy WQ, SQ Arturo Garza FQ Brandon Threats FQ, WQ Women’s Soccer Sarah Moss FQ, WQ Kyle Gustafson FQ, WQ, SQ Tonderai Tomu WQ Kelly Blumberg FQ, WQ, SQ Alexandra Muller FQ, WQ, SQ Joseph Hart FQ, WQ, SQ Joseph Turner FQ, WQ Sara Brathwaite FQ, WQ, SQ Amanda Piche FQ, WQ, SQ Cale Hartle SQ Ryan Van Fossen FQ, WQ, SQ MaryKate Cicinelli FQ, WQ, SQ Hannah Pulliam FQ, WQ, SQ Jalen Harvey FQ, WQ, SQ Kimberly Denne FQ, WQ, SQ Kayla Schwarz WQ, SQ Brian Hindle FQ, WQ, SQ Softball Carolyn Garrison WQ, SQ Molly Shiroishi FQ, WQ, SQ Anthony Hunter FQ, WQ, SQ Brittany Boesel FQ, WQ, SQ Ashleigh Goddard FQ, WQ, SQ Nora Smith FQ, WQ David Leverentz FQ, WQ, SQ Staci Bonezek FQ, WQ, SQ Alejandria Godinez FQ, WQ, SQ Alexandra Vekich FQ, WQ, SQ Benjamin Lussier FQ, WQ, SQ Alexandria Braden FQ, WQ, SQ Sarah Gorden FQ, WQ, SQ Tayler Whittler FQ, WQ, SQ Daniel Michallik FQ, WQ, SQ Bree Brown FQ, WQ, SQ Claire Hanold FQ, WQ, SQ Jack Rubin FQ, WQ, SQ Cherelle Chambers FQ, WQ, SQ Nina Kodros FQ, WQ, SQ Brian Schultz FQ, WQ Mary Connolly SQ Kylie Nordness FQ, WQ, SQ Eric Sorby FQ, WQ, SQ Samantha Dodd WQ, SQ Amber Paul FQ, WQ, SQ Michael Stankiewicz FQ, WQ, SQ Kali Gardner FQ, WQ, SQ Erin Pekovitch FQ, WQ, SQ Austin Toth FQ, WQ, SQ Alexandria Lenti FQ, WQ, SQ Rachel Pitman FQ, WQ, SQ Alexander Wallace FQ, WQ Gena Lenti FQ, WQ, SQ Megan Pyrz FQ, WQ, SQ Curtis Weir FQ, WQ, SQ Morgan Maize FQ, WQ, SQ Natasa Radosavljevic WQ Amanda Mener FQ, WQ, SQ Rebekah Roller FQ, WQ, SQ Hannah Penna FQ, WQ, SQ Brianna Ryce FQ, WQ, SQ Paige Peterson FQ Ren Stoecklin FQ, WQ, SQ Kirsten Verdun FQ, WQ, SQ Elise Wyatt FQ, WQ, SQ Alisha Warren FQ, SQ

Harry and Pavelko Named American Eagle Reverend John R. Cortelyou Award Winners Outfitters BIG EAST Institutional Male and Joe Hart from the men’s soccer team and Lindsey Holden from Female Scholar-Athletes the women’s cross country/track and field team topped last These awards recognize student-athletes who have achieved year’s senior class with their outstanding GPAs. success in the classroom and on the field/course/court while also being active members of their community. As DePaul’s Lindsey Holden graduated in June 2013 nominees, each will receive a $2,000 scholarship toward with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a graduate studies. minor in international politics. Her final GPA was 3.952. Holden appeared on the Katherine Harry—Women’s Basketball DePaul University Dean’s List and Athletic Katherine achieved a final GPA of 3.545. Director’s Honor Roll all 12 quarters that She graduated cum laude in June 2013 she was at DePaul and was named to the with a double major in journalism and BIG EAST All-Academic Team 2010-2013. public relations and advertising. She She graduated summa cum laude and is currently attending is currently pursuing a professional graduate school at Northwestern University. basketball career in Greece before attending graduate school. Joe Hart also graduated in June 2013, after just three years, with a Bachelor of Science in physics and John Pavelko—Golf a double major in mathematical sciences. John achieved a final GPA of 3.685. He earned a perfect cumulative GPA of He graduated cum laude in June 2013 4.0. Joe was named to the Dean’s List with a major in public relations and and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll every advertising and minors in American quarter as well as the BIG EAST All- politics and sociology. He is currently Academic Team 2011-2013. Joe graduated attending law school at the University of summa cum laude and is currently St. Thomas in Minnesota. pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Maryland.

Martin Named American Eagle Outfitters Lawson Earns the ITA Midwest Arthur Ashe Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year Leadership and Sportsmanship Award This award recognizes the women’s basketball student- Kelsey Lawson earned the ITA athlete who exemplifies success in the classroom and on the Arthur Ashe Award which recognizes court while also maintaining an active leadership role in the outstanding individuals in all divisions community. As the recipient of this award, Anna Martin will at the regional and national level. It receive a $2,000 scholarship toward graduate studies. is awarded to student-athletes who exhibit exceptional sportsmanship Martin was the American Eagle Outfitters BIG EAST Women’s and leadership on the court, as well as Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the BIG EAST scholastic, extracurricular and tennis Sportsmanship Award winner. Anna graduated cum laude achievements. “Kelsey is very deserving of this award,” in June 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in business and said head coach Mark Ardizzone. “She displays tremendous achieved a final GPA of 3.627. Martin is currently working sportsmanship on the court. Off the court, she is a leader for Game Seven Marketing while pursuing a professional by example and is always looking for ways to make the basketball career. DePaul women’s tennis program better in the classroom and community.”

Senior CLASS Award Finalist Lawson is the third Blue Demon to earn the Arthur Ashe Anna Martin from the women’s basketball team was one Midwest Award. Former DePaul standouts Dunja Antunovic of 10 finalists and ultimately a second-team Senior CLASS and Selma Salkovic also received the recognition. Salkovic was All-American. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and the regional winner in 2011, while Antunovic went on to earn Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award the national award in 2009. focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact Eight Programs Have Top GPA in the BIG EAST as leaders in their communities. While Martin was nationally Women’s basketball, golf, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s tennis, women’s recognized in her sport and spent numerous hours doing tennis, women’s indoor track and field and women’s outdoor track and field community service, she also excelled in the classroom. Eight of DePaul’s 15 intercollegiate athletics programs won or shared the BIG EAST Team Academic Award for 2012–2013. Teams with top GPAs among the 24 sports from the 2012–2013 lineup of BIG EAST institutions were honored with the award. THE 2013-2014 CAPTAINS’ COUNCIL

Above left to right: The captains from each team meet monthly to discuss issues Edwind McGhee | Men’s Basketball, President in intercollegiate athletics and to provide feedback to the Kirsten Verdun | Softball, Vice President athletic administration. This group is extremely important in Alex Vekich | Women’s Track & Field, Secretary the decision making process on campus, within the conference Moritz Ackerhans | Golf, Treasurer and nationwide. In addition to their leadership, this group spearheads community service activities for student-athletes.

The eight winners are a new high for DePaul surpassing the or university must submit the grade points earned and hours 2008-2009 record of seven top academic programs. Ten attempted for each player on its official squad list for the of last year’s 15 BIG EAST schools had at least one team academic year. honored as DePaul finished with a conference-best eight teams recognized. Marquette and Rutgers had three teams Budd Named Cleveland Golf/Srixon receive awards, while Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, St. All-America Scholar John’s and Villanova had two each. Cincinnati and Seton Hall were represented by one team each. Women’s basketball and DePaul golfer Russell Budd who graduated cum laude in men’s soccer have both won the conference’s Team Academic June 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in business, made his Excellence Award each of the last five seasons. The winners second appearance on the Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America were chosen based on the 2012-2013 GPA of each student- Scholars list after earning the same honor last season. Budd athlete who appeared on an institution’s roster as of the last finished his final year at DePaul with a career-best season contest of the championship segment in each conference- average of 75.13 and led the Blue Demons in scoring in five sponsored sport. tournaments. Budd was among the 152 Division I golfers honored by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

Golf Receives GCAA President’s Special To be eligible for Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar Recognition for its Team GPA status an individual must be a junior or senior academically The DePaul golf team was recognized by the Golf Coaches and compete in at least three full years at the collegiate level. Association of America (GCAA) for having a cumulative team In addition, he must participate in 70 percent of his team’s GPA above a 3.5. The Blue Demons recorded a team GPA of competitive rounds or compete in the NCAA Championships. 3.724 for the 2012-2013 season and are the only program from A Division I scholar must have a stroke average under 76.0 and the BIG EAST Conference to receive the President’s Special maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2. Recognition. Since the poll began in 2009, the Blue Demons have earned GCAA team academic honors, each year. NCAA APR Public Recognition Awards DePaul was crowned the Division I team academic champion Plentiful at DePaul in 2010, 2011 and 2012, while it was named an All-Academic team in 2009. Women’s basketball, golf, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, softball, men’s tennis and women’s tennis DePaul was joined on the DI President’s Special Recognition Seven DePaul programs were recognized with Public list by Brown, Harvard, Kennesaw State, Richmond, Stanford, Recognition Awards from the NCAA for having multi-year Utah Valley State, Valparaiso, William & Mary and Yale. Academic Performance Rate (APR) scores in the top 10 To be eligible for GCAA All-Academic Team honors, a college percent of all squads in their respective sports. DePaul stands as just one of 61 schools in the nation with multiple teams The award, which debuted during the 1992-1993 academic year, earning the honors in each of the last eight years. DePaul’s honors both collegiate and high school volleyball teams that total of seven teams honored represents the third-best total displayed excellence in the classroom. The requirement for the among all BIG EAST Conference schools. Women’s basketball, award is a team maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team GPA softball and women’s tennis picked up the recognition for the on a 4.0 scale, or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale. eighth straight year while the golf team was honored for the seventh time in eight years. The seven teams are a high for the Women’s Tennis Garners ITA Academic Honors second straight year after having six teams earn the honor in The DePaul women’s tennis team was one of 129 programs 2004-2005 and 2009-2010. recognized by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) for its cumulative team GPA following the 2012-2013 season. The The women’s basketball program is just one of four teams Blue Demons’ team GPA surpassed the award’s minimum of nationally to earn the honor the last eight years along 3.2; it is the sixth consecutive year that DePaul has earned the with Dartmouth, Harvard and Princeton. The BIG EAST ITA team academic award. Additionally, all nine Blue Demons Conference produced 72 teams led by Georgetown and Notre were named ITA Scholar Athletes. Patricia Fargas, Jarret Dame with 14 programs apiece. DePaul’s seven teams were Fisher, Zhavia Gray, Jasmin Kling, Kelsey Lawson, Rebeca the third-highest total followed by six from Villanova and five Mitrea, Carolin Neumann, Zaina Sufi and Ana Vladutu each from Seton Hall and Syracuse. The APR measures academic posted a cumulative GPA above 3.5. It is the second-straight progress and retention of student-athletes receiving any year that nine DePaul student-athletes have been named to measure of athletically-based scholarship assistance. the team. Six Blue Demons were ITA Scholar Athletes in 2011.

Women’s Hoops Ties for Second in Men’s Tennis Recognized By ITA Nation in Team GPA The DePaul men’s tennis team was one of 86 teams named DePaul women’s basketball program was once again named to to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Academic the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic list after the 2012-2013 season. DePaul’s cumulative team Top 25 Team Honor Roll. With a program-best 3.625 cumulative GPA surpassed the award’s minimum of a 3.2 average. It is team GPA, the Blue Demons tied for second on the honor roll the fourth time in the last five years that the Blue Demons list with St. Francis (NY). Utah Valley topped the Academic Team have taken home the award. Individually, Jan-Willem Feilzer, Honor Roll with its 3.639 GPA. Along with the distinction of Mathias Hambach, Paul John, Alexandre Latychev, Sten their number two ranking, the Blue Demons are one of just two Leusink and Adam Reinhart were each named ITA Scholar programs to have gone to the NCAA Tournament and be ranked Athletes after eclipsing a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.5. in the Academic Top 25. South Dakota State, which ranked 13th, also made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2013. DePaul Track and Field Named USTFCCCA The WBCA Academic Top 25 annually recognizes NCAA All-Academic Team Divisions I, II and III; NAIA; and junior/community college The DePaul track and field team was named an All-Academic women’s basketball teams across the nation that carry the Team in both women’s and men’s track by the U.S. Track and highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). their rosters for the entire season. The WBCA Academic Poll The women’s team compiled a 3.38 team GPA while the men’s dates back to the 1997-1998 season while DePaul has appeared team posted a 3.12 team GPA. in nine of those polls. The Blue Demons have appeared in seven of the last eight polls and have been ranked in the top A total of 187 Division I All-Academic Women’s Track & 10 the last four. The Blue Demons claimed the highest team Field teams earned the distinction as a result of posting a GPA among all BIG EAST Conference schools and are the cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or higher. On the men’s side, a only conference team in the poll. total of 111 institutions earned the distinction.

Blue Demon Volleyball Earns AVCA Team Softball Named 2012-2013 NFCA Academic Award All-Academic Team The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) DePaul softball was recognized for its work in the classroom announced that DePaul volleyball, among a record 130 NCAA by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), Division I programs, earned the AVCA Team Academic Award earning All-Academic Team honors as six individuals were for the 2012-2013 season. It was the sixth straight season, as named All-America Scholar-Athletes. The NFCA recognized well as the seventh time in eight years, the Blue Demons have Ali Lenti, Amanda Mener, Brittany Boesel, Gena Lenti, Kali been bestowed with the honor. Across the board, BIG EAST Gardner and Kirsten Verdun for each achieving GPAs greater Conference teams fared well in the classroom in 2012-2013 than 3.50 during the 2012-2013 academic year. As a team, with seven of nine programs receiving the award—up from just the Blue Demons were one of 160 Division I teams to be three teams a year ago. recognized and ranked number 38 nationally in GPA (3.363). Men’s and Women’s Soccer Earn NSCAA Awards for the Sixth Straight Year SAVE Each year, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) recognizes collegiate soccer programs Join us for the Annual Half-Time nationwide that record a 3.0 team GPA or higher. Ceremony honoring DePaul’s BIG

EAST All-Academic Team during DATE THE DePaul men’s soccer was honored after compiling a team GPA the men’s basketball game versus of 3.39 during the 2012-2013 academic year. Out of the 269 colleges honored, DePaul’s team GPA finished in a tie for No. Villanova University. 17 in the country. Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL led the nation with a 3.78 mark. The only BIG EAST school with a Wednesday, February 12 | 6 p.m. higher team GPA was Xavier at 3.44. allstate arena

DePaul women’s soccer was also honored after finishing with a team GPA of 3.53. Out of 593 colleges honored, DePaul’s RSVP at eventbrite.com/e/faculty-staff- team GPA finished in a tie for No. 33 in the country. Felician night-at-mens-basketball-big-east-academic- College in Lodi, NJ was No. 1 with a 3.78 GPA. The only BIG celebration-tickets-9536872041?ref=estw EAST school with a higher team GPA was St. John’s at 3.56.

Blue Demons in the Community: A report from Edwind McGhee—Captains’ Council President As student-athletes at DePaul University, it is our job to excel in our respective sports and also in the classroom. More importantly, as Vincentians, it is our duty to serve the community that has given so much to us. In times like these, it is evident that every little piece of community service can help someone in some form or fashion, and as leaders, it is our responsibility to give people hope.

As an athletic department we started off the year strong in our commitment to service by taking time to create hundreds of blankets for children and adults who were in need. This small act of kindness was just a scratch on the surface of what student-athletes accomplished in the community. Each team dedicated their time to help others in an inspiring way and some of their service opportunities are as follows: women’s basketball and volleyball shook cans and collected donations for Misericordia; women’s tennis served soup and sandwiches to those in need at a local soup kitchen; the men’s golf team volunteered at various golf tournaments; and all teams volunteered in sporting clinics, which was a great way to reach out to youth. We hope that our continuous service will provide a closer relationship with DePaul and the community and at the same time provide our student- athletes with a sense of accomplishment and a continued commitment to serving others. The Blue Ribbon is an annual publication of Athletic Academic Advising.

Kate O’Brien, Ph.D. Jill Hollembeak Tracy Moss Molly Creek Director Academic Advisor | Academic Advisor | Graduate Assistant [email protected] Life Skills Coordinator Tutor Coordinator [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Felicia Gowanlock Graduate Assistant [email protected]

All photos and some text courtesy of DePaul University Athletics Communications. sullivan athletic center Suite 410 HIGHLIGHTING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF STUDENT-ATHLETES (773) 325-7550 Fax: (773) 325-7551 The Blue Ribbon