Scholar Baller® Announces National Academic Momentum Award Recipients:

26 Student-Athletes Recognized for Academic Improvement

Orlando, FL

April 10, 2018

The Scholar Baller program announced the recipients of the 2017-2018 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 8 male and female award recipients from NCAS partner schools were selected for the Academic Momentum Award First Team, 9 recipients were chosen for the Academic Momentum Award Second Team, and 9 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:

Jaleel Wheeler, University of Tulsa, Exercise & Sport Science, Basketball

James Washington, Oklahoma State University, Farm & Ranch Management, Football

Kali Hazera, Florida Atlantic University, Elementary Education, Cross-Country and Track & Field

Mandy Coleman, Oklahoma State University, Liberal Studies, Basketball

Patrick Park, Arizona State University, Communication, Swimming

Shae Chapman, Georgia State University, Speech Communications, Court Volleyball

Will Williams, Texas A&M University, University Studies in Leadership with minors in Communication & Sport Management, Track & Field

Yoanse Meias, University of Oklahoma, Planned Programs, Wrestling

The names, schools, majors, and sports of the Second Team Academic Momentum Award recipients are:

Amanda Crosby, Adelphi University, Art Education, Swimming

Angela Alonso, Georgia State University, Political Science, Cross-Country and Track & Field

Emily Royer, Georgia State University, BIS – Sports Administration, Golf

Jacob Alatorre, California State University Bakersfield, Liberal Studies, Soccer

James Thristino, Adelphi University, Education, Soccer

Kirsten McMonigle, Georgia State University, Psychology, Softball

Mark Nowatnick, Florida Atlantic University, Public Safety Administration, Baseball

Monique Hundley, Georgia State University, Exercise Science, Soccer

Nick Budd, Georgia State University, Geosciences, Golf

The names, schools, majors, and sports of the Third Team Academic Momentum Award recipients are:

Andrei Andrukhou, Georgia State University, Finance

Chris Clerkley, Georgia State University, Exercise Science, Basketball

Francesca Minali, Georgia State University, BIS – Sports Administration, Basketball

Kory Holden, University of South Carolina, Sociology, Basketball

Lara Vovk, Georgia State University, Finance, Tennis

Lukas Joyner, Georgia State University, Exercise Science, Soccer

Olivia Stasevich, Georgia State University, Speech Communications, Beach Volleyball

Paul Jubb, University of South Carolina, Exercise Science, Tennis

Romero Greer, Georgia State University, Psychology, Baseball

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.

Second Team Academic Momentum Award Recipients will receive a keychain/business-card holder in addition to their certificate.

First Team Academic Momentum Award recipients will receive a limited edition ThinkMan® or ThinkWoman® trophy in addition to their certificate.