The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men's and Women's Academic Awards Presentation
04.21.2009 | Texas Athletics
April 21, 2009
| Video
AUSTIN, Texas -- The numbers were pretty daunting, but mostly when you consider the words that followed them.
For instance, it was revealed during the Men's and Women's Academic Awards Presentation on Monday night that 58 percent of Texas student-athletes boast a 3.0 grade point average or better.
Now consider the words -- Aerospace Engineering, Actuarial Science, Mathematics and Finance.
And these are just a few of the majors that UT student-athletes also shoulder.
Men's Swimmer Ricky Berens is working on a business degree to go along with the gold medal he won at the Beijing Olympics last summer, but on Monday, Berens took note of one presentation in particular.
Emily Anderson and Casey Mogk were honored as Soccer's Academic MVPs, because both have a perfect 4.0. Neither Anderson nor Mogk has made a B in their academic careers, and both are students in the McCombs School of Business Accounting Professional Program.
"That's just impressive," Berens said.
The whole spectacle was, as it was a chance to honor the discipline and dedication that Longhorns devote in equal parts to their classroom and field of play.
UT had 10 Academic All-Americans in 2008 -- more than any university in the country. Thirteen UT teams have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher, and 42 student-athletes are on campus with a perfect 4.0.
In order to attend the banquet at the Frank Erwin Center, UT student-athletes had to earn a 3.0 grade point average or better in the Spring or Fall 2008 semesters, and 320 were in attendance.
"It really represented UT as a whole and how much they focus on academic success, as well as success on the field," Football's Sam Acho said. "It's really important to us, as athletes, to do well in school and on the field and strive for excellence in all aspects of life."
Women's Swimmer Hee-Jin Chang was honored as an Arthur Ashe, Jr., Sports Scholar and also was presented with the "Doc" Neuhaus Academic Excellence Award, which annually goes out to the female student-athlete who has achieved athletically and academically at the highest level.
Last month, Chang won the first Big 12 title of her career in the 50-yard freestyle by smashing a 19-year-old school record in the process.
Interesting numbers, indeed.
But also consider these -- for her entire academic career, Chang has maintained a 3.42 GPA and will graduate this spring with a degree in Government and a minor in Business.
"I think this was an important night to really show how hard we all work -- in everything we do," Chang said. "It is hard. No one can say that it isn't. But we do this because we know that it's preparing us for life."
2008-09 MEN'S AND WOMEN'S ACADEMIC AWARDS PRESENATION HONOREES
Academic MVPs (women's teams)
Earnesia Williams (basketball), Larkin Geyer (cross country), Kristin Walla (golf), Nancy Arrington (rowing), Emily Anderson and Casey Mogk (soccer), Erin Tresselt (softball), Adrienne Woods (swimming and diving), Sarah Lancaster (tennis), Betzy Jimenez (track), Chantel Malone (field), Heather Kisner (volleyball)
Lan Hewlett Award (highest GPA on men's teams)
Keith Shinaberry (baseball), Damion James (basketball), Habben Berhane (cross country), Chris Ogbonnaya (football), Austin Traweek (golf), Scott Drews (swimming and diving), Miguel Reyes-Varela (tennis), Shawn Schmidt (track and field)
Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars
Damion James (men's basketball), Gary Johnson (men's basketball), Alexis Wangmene (men's basketball), Miguel Reyes-Varela (men's tennis), Sam Acho (football), Rashad Bobino (football), Chris Ogbonnaya (football), Megan Vasquez (women's track and field), Chantel Malone (women's track and field), Hee-Jin Chang (women's swimming)
Lorene Rogers Scholar-Athlete Award
Kat Kelly (women's diving), Scott Drews (men's swimming)
IAM Council Achievement Award
Preston Clark (baseball), George Walker (football)
Janet Hauber Academic Excellence Award
Jessica Livingston (women's diving)
Academic Excellence and Spirit Award
Quan Cosby (football)
V.F. "Doc" Neuhaus Award
Hee-Jin Chang (women's swimming)
Big 12 Scholar-Athlete Award
Lauren Paolini (volleyball), Michael Klueh (men's swimming)
Big 12 Community Champion Award
Stephanie Logterman (soccer), Colt McCoy (football)
Texas Exes Leadership Award
Alexandria Anderson (women's track and field), Chris Ogbonnaya (football)
