2008 Woodie Awards
Northeastern Athletics: A double threat
Jonathan Raymond
Issue date: 3/20/08 Section: Sports
With end-of-season academic awards and honors being announced, it appears that Northeastern student-athletes are validating the school's long standing academic commitment.
In a press conference last month, Athletics Director Peter Roby stressed the emphasis Northeastern places on performance. He said that one of the school's priorities was ensuring the highest of academic standards continues to be met.
At the end of February, four members of the football team were named to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Football Academic All-Conference Team. On March 10, eight members of the field hockey team were selected for the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic (NFHCA) Squad. Also, at the end of December, the women's soccer team was honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America with a Team Academic Award for having a combined 3.36 team GPA.
"I think [the awards] mean a lot. I certainly take it as a real affirmation and a source of pride. I know the athletes are proud of what they do; the coaches are proud of it," Roby said. "It's an opportunity to showcase the true student athletes and that we're here doing things for the right reasons. It's important. In every way it's a source of pride and we try to make it a big deal."
Honored on the football team were senior captain Joe Mele, senior defensive back Barry Jeanson, junior quarterback Anthony Orio and freshman linebacker David Akinniyi. For Jeanson, a new venture management major, it was his fourth selection in as many seasons to the all-academic team. The four together pushed the total of selections to 23 for head coach Rocky Hager since he started coaching here in 2004.
Hager said he was proud of the academic achievements of his players. He also said the academic support program at Northeastern deserved credit and that the coaches needed to continue to do what they can to ensure athletes stay on track academically. His staff's goal was to have the entire team GPA reach at least 3.0, he said.
In a press conference last month, Athletics Director Peter Roby stressed the emphasis Northeastern places on performance. He said that one of the school's priorities was ensuring the highest of academic standards continues to be met.
At the end of February, four members of the football team were named to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Football Academic All-Conference Team. On March 10, eight members of the field hockey team were selected for the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic (NFHCA) Squad. Also, at the end of December, the women's soccer team was honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America with a Team Academic Award for having a combined 3.36 team GPA.
"I think [the awards] mean a lot. I certainly take it as a real affirmation and a source of pride. I know the athletes are proud of what they do; the coaches are proud of it," Roby said. "It's an opportunity to showcase the true student athletes and that we're here doing things for the right reasons. It's important. In every way it's a source of pride and we try to make it a big deal."
Honored on the football team were senior captain Joe Mele, senior defensive back Barry Jeanson, junior quarterback Anthony Orio and freshman linebacker David Akinniyi. For Jeanson, a new venture management major, it was his fourth selection in as many seasons to the all-academic team. The four together pushed the total of selections to 23 for head coach Rocky Hager since he started coaching here in 2004.
Hager said he was proud of the academic achievements of his players. He also said the academic support program at Northeastern deserved credit and that the coaches needed to continue to do what they can to ensure athletes stay on track academically. His staff's goal was to have the entire team GPA reach at least 3.0, he said.
Be the first to comment on this story