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.”