The UCSD Department of Intercollegiate Athletics recognized
several of its student athletes at a luncheon held at the UCSD Faculty Club on
April 14 in celebration of National Student-Athlete Day. Seniors Todd
Bettisworth, Randelle Bundy, Diane Dunn, Meaghan Noud, Henry Patterson, David
Payne and Melissa Ward, juniors Ryan Bailey, Garrett Imeson, Jillian Sola and
Caryn Urbandczyk and sophomore Steven Donohoe were honored for their athletic
and academic accomplishments as well as community service projects on and off
campus. All of the honored student athletes have earned both Provost and
Athletic Director’s Honor Roll while being important members of their
respective teams.
Softball’s Bundy, a senior majoring in environmental systems
with a 3.69 GPA, was the student athlete who spoke on behalf of those honored.
In particular, Bundy chose to share the credit for their success with all of
the adults that play such crucial roles in the lives of student athletes.
“Most of this is due to the wonderful coaches and
administrators that are here at this school who have helped us and stood by our
side, even if it’s been difficult at times,” she said.
In addition to coaches and administrators, the student
athletes were quick to recognize their teammates as being just as dedicated in
their academic endeavors. Noud, a first team All-CCAA selection for the women’s
basketball team, understands the challenge that constant travel can play in
keeping up with UCSD’s demanding schoolwork.
“Everybody works really hard,” Noud, a senior biology major
with a 3.62, said. “We’re studying on every road trip, and I really think that
it shows a lot with all these athletes; that they can do this sport and compete
with other students academically as well.”
While the athletes were quick to give credit to others who
helped them, they were also appreciative of the hard-earned award. Patterson, a
member of the CCAA Tournament Champion men’s basketball team, was excited to be
honored academically so soon after accomplishing such an important athletic
goal.
“It feels great,” Patterson, a senior political science
major with a 3.4 GPA, said. “To be able to carry [such an academic load],
regardless of if you are playing sports or not, I think it’s a tremendous
feat.”
The distinguished group also went beyond the assumed norm of
academics and sports as all honored recipients brought impressive resumes of
community service. From working with programs ranging from the After-School
All-Stars to Habitat for Humanity, the honorees took on a load that
demonstrates just how much can be accomplished as a student athlete at UCSD.
In all cases, these athletes will continue with the
dedication that brought them recognition, some even at higher levels of
education. Noud has been accepted to the medical school at the
of
intern at a law office before enrolling in law school.
For these student athletes, perhaps the best part of the
ceremony was getting recognition for their hard classroom work as well as their
athletic achievements. Ward, the left-handed ace for the nationally ranked
women’s softball team, enjoyed being seen as more than just a jock at an
otherwise academic-focused school.
“Most of the time at this school you are recognized for
being an athlete,” Ward said. “It’s nice to get recognized for being a
student.”
Many of the honored athletes are upperclassmen, and as their
sports careers come to a close here at UCSD, they must face the prospect of
life after school. Luckily for these students, they have been able to dominate
the classroom just as much as their athletic competition, leaving them in a
position not only to handle but to excel at their chosen fields.
