UCSD athletes juggling the rigors of academics and the demands of their sport were rewarded on April 21 when the UCSD Department of Intercollegiate Athletics honored 11 of its athletes on National Student-Athlete Day for their academic and athletic accomplishments.
Bryan Swatt:
“These student-athletes typify the standards that have been set here at UCSD,” Athletic Director Earl W. Edwards said. “Our proud tradition of academic and athletic excellence is only furthered by the accomplishments of these selected few who are only a sampling of the extraordinary young men and women that represent this world-class institution on a daily basis.”
This is a yearly event honoring athletes from the six different colleges. Among those in attendance were Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Joseph W. Watson, A.S. President Chris Sweeten and Edwards.
Besides studying for classes, athletes also study game film and commit plays to memory — a challenging task according to Associate Athletics Director and Compliance Officer Wendy Taylor May.
“You study these things because you know you represent the university, your teammates and coaches, as well as all those who have gone before and worn the uniform,” Taylor May said. “And when the tests come, you face the public with your grades, for all to see, and you pass with flying colors or you go back and work harder the next time. You do this because you represent more than just the individual, you are a college student-athlete and you represent UCSD.”
The National Student-Athlete awards went to junior Michelle DiMeo from cross country and track and field, senior Shlomo Lipetz from baseball, senior Jessica Wong from water polo, junior Niki Anderson from softball, sophomore Emily Harlan from swimming, senior Benjamin Wang from crew, seniors Bryan Swatt and Jasmin Dao from tennis, sophomore Brett Maurer and junior Matthew Davey from soccer and junior Bret Martin from fencing.
Following the awards ceremony, Swatt addressed the audience, sharing his experiences as a student-athlete at UCSD, which have allowed him and other athletes to contribute to the UCSD and local community.
“As athletes, we are in the unique position of being representative of the school,” Swatt said. “From countless volunteer projects to leadership groups, many of us constantly work toward improving UCSD’s reputation by giving back both to the university and to our neighbors in San Diego.”
Swatt also credited the coaches and the UCSD Department of Intercollegiate Athletics with emphasizing the importance of academics.
“Sports teach many valuable lessons not learned in the classroom,” he said. “Supporting an even stronger and more dynamic athletic program allows for a different kind of learning. Sportsmanship, team play and discipline are all life skills that can be learned on the field. The athletic department does a tremendous job in instilling these qualities in its players and it is no coincidence that the [average] GPA for athletes is higher than that of the general student body. Athletics build the work ethic that makes a great student.”
Almost 300 of the 550 UCSD varsity athletes carry a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Since its founding, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has produced 20 UCSD alumni who earned prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships and 126 NCAA Academic All-Americans in addition to 29 national championships in seven different sports.
