The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Curtiss receives Elite 89 Award for academic excellence
06.14.2014 | Baseball
Curtiss has highest cumulative GPA of any player at the College World Series
OMAHA, Neb. - Redshirt sophomore pitcher John Curtiss received the Elite 89 Award Friday night at the College World Series opening ceremonies for having the highest cumulative GPA of any student-athlete on the eight teams in Omaha.
The Elite 89 Award, created in 2009-2010, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 89 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 89 championships."
Curtiss, also a first team Capital One Academic All-American, has a 3.85 cumulative GPA while double majoring in History and English. He will graduate this coming August, prior to his senior year.
The right-hander has been a member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll every semester, and is also the recipient of the Lorene L. Rogers Scholar-Athlete Award presented to the graduating male and female student-athlete with the highest overall GPA.
On the field, Curtiss has a 2.06 ERA, nine saves, 28 strikeouts and an opponent batting average of .199. Last weekend, he was drafted in the sixth round (170 overall) of the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Minnesota Twins.
