Scholar Baller® and NCAS Announce National Academic Momentum Award Recipients:
45 Student-Athletes Recognized for Academic Improvement
Orlando, FL
April 6, 2017
The Scholar Baller program, in conjunction with the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS), announced the recipients of the 2016 Academic Momentum Award. Top nominations were categorized into three teams based on each student-athlete’s academic improvement and the impact each student-athlete’s academic performance had on his or her classmates, teammates, academic advisors, and professors. A total of 21 male and female award recipients from NCAS partner schools were selected for the Academic Momentum Award First Team, 15 recipients were chosen for the Academic Momentum Award Second Team, and 10 recipients were selected for the Academic Momentum Award Third Team.
The names, schools, majors, and sports of the First Team Academic Momentum Award recipients are:
Steven Kuhn, Adelphi University, Accounting, Baseball
Andre Adams, Arizona State University, Exploratory, Basketball
Kodi Justice, Arizona State University, Sociology, Basketball
Lucy Lara, Arizona State University, Sports Law & Business, Soccer
Bret Guarino, California State University, Northridge, Criminal Justice, Soccer
Hayley Greep, California State University, Northridge, Psychology, Soccer
Shayla Henderson, Idaho State University, Exercise Science, Track and Field
Ana Laura Gutierrez, Florida Atlantic University, Communications, Tennis
Lester Thomas, Florida Atlantic University, Public Safety Administration, Football
Austin Bain, Louisiana State University, Sport Administration, Baseball
Ashley Haynes, Marist College, Sports Communication, Indoor/Outdoor Track
Maddie Witzke, North Carolina State University, Communication, Swimming
Kristin Hull, Oklahoma State University, Business Management, Equestrian
Vincent Taylor, Oklahoma State University, University Studies/Educational Psychology, Football
Alexandra Edenzon, Rutgers University, Sport Management, Rowing
Stacey Anning, Rutgers University, Exercise Science, Track and Field
Thanya Pattamakijsakul, Texas A&M University, Agricultural Leadership & Development, Golfer
Brittney Markwith, University of Portland, General Studies, Volleyball
Dante Sawyer, University of South Carolina, Interdisciplinary Studies, Football
Scottavian Grant, University of South Carolina, Integrated Information Technology, Football
Or Ram-Harel, University of Tulsa, Business Management & Communications, Tennis
The names, schools, majors, and sports of the Second Team Academic Momentum Award recipients are:
Taylor Velez, Adelphi University, Speech Pathology, Track and Field
Quentin Sathasivam, Adelphi University, Business, Soccer
Kassidy Jump, Arizona State University, Criminal Justice, Tennis
Madison Gipson, Auburn University, Education, Softball
Jules Cailliau, California State University, Northridge, Economics, Soccer
Nicholas Grinde, California State University, Northridge, Recreation and Tourism Management, Soccer
Vincent Jay Warren, Florida Atlantic University, Communication Studies, Football
Andrew Soroh, Florida Atlantic University, Public Safety Administration, Football
Lavon Chaney, Monmouth University, Art, Football
Donté A. Holden, North Carolina State University, Business Marketing, Football
Riahanah Ali, Rutgers University, Psychology, Gymnastics
Reggie Chevis, Texas A&M, Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Science & Agricultural Leadership, Football
Federico Ferre, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Business Administration, Soccer
Elena Cerezo-Codina, Virginia Tech, Human Development, Tennis
The names, schools, majors, and sports of the Third Team Academic Momentum Award recipients are:
Alexandra Moon, Arizona State University, Interdisciplinary Studies, Soccer
Austyn Harris, Arizona State University, Psychology, Wrestling
Madison Berridge, Arizona State University, Sociology, Beach Volleyball
Joavani McCaskill, California State University, Northridge, Marketing, Soccer
Josiah Byers, California State University, Northridge, Psychology, Volleyball
Nate Terry, Florida Atlantic University, Sociology, Football
Ryan Rickel, Florida Atlantic University, Business Management, Football
Kaitlyn Reth, Monmouth University, Health and Physical Education, Bowling
Collin Linden, Villanova University, Communication, Football
Callie Duliba, Villanova University, Psychology, Soccer
Established in 1995, the Scholar Baller® movement evolved in response to concerns that the student-athlete’s athletics role increasingly superseded the student role. In order to address this issue, the founding members of Scholar Baller® development a groundbreaking program to bridge the gap between education and sport utilizing student-athletes’ passion for entertainment and athletics. As a result, the Scholar Baller® program has produced unprecedented outcomes in student retention and academic achievement.
Each award recipient will receive an official Academic Momentum Award certificate. In addition, all nominees will receive a ThinkMan® or ThinkWoman® decal sticker.
First Team Academic Momentum Award recipients will also receive a limited edition ThinkMan® or ThinkWoman® trophy.
The NCAS is an ever-growing organization of colleges and universities that provides opportunities for current and former student-athletes to continue their pursuit of higher education, while working in the community with children to address social issues. Established in 1985, the overall mission of the NCAS is “to create a better society by focusing on education attainment and using the power appeal of sport to positively affect social change.”