By Chris Vaccaro
Prior to the court rushing and excitement during the Pride men’s basketball win over conference foe George Mason, student-athletes were recognized in a halftime ceremony, honoring those with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the 2005 school year.
Every Pride team was represented during the intermission, showing the diligence and studious work ethic of the University’s student-athletes. While the University continues to rack up conference championships, its eye has increasingly become focused in all areas of execution.
“Our student-athletes are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence both in the classroom and in the arena of competition,” University Athletic Director Jack Hayes said. “Their focus and hard-work is evident in the results, both academically and athletically, over the past year.”
James Sewell, director of Student-Athlete Services, works hard with many Pride athletes at study halls and was responsible for the logistics of the event. He sees first hand what it takes for these students to get ahead.
“It speaks to the overall commitment to excellence our student athletes have,” said Sewell, who is also the men’s and women’s cross-country head coach. “I know what it takes. It’s unbelievable amount of discipline and commitment that goes into it.”
For most students, it gives them an academic accolade in their portfolio for the future.
“I think it’s a great feeling to be a student-athlete,” senior baseball shortstop Josh Stern said. “Employers view it as a real asset because of the time management and work ethic it takes.”
Like many athletes, Stern realizes it’s worth it to make an adjustment period for balancing classes and athletics.
“It’s deffinetley a natural thing,” said Stern, who started all 56 games and batted .339 last season. “It was a tough thing to get used to when I was a freshman. It was a big adjustment because athletics and academics are so much more serious in college.”
Most coaches will emphasize the importance of grades over goals.
“Academics come first,” said senior men’s lacrosse midfielder Rob Bonaguro, who scored 14 goals last season. “We are expected to be great in the classroom. We should take pride in our work off the field just as we do on. As a lacrosse player at Hofstra we are expected to be great in everything we do.”
Of the 18 Pride teams, football (41) had the most representatives, followed by women’s soccer (23) women’s lacrosse (23) and men’s lacrosse (20). A special group of 15 students with 4.0 grade point averages were also recognized for their outstanding academic performances.