A group of SJSU students standing together receiving awards for outstanding academic achievement.

Women's gymnastics had the top GPA for the fall and spring semesters combined. (Photo by Terrell Lloyd)

San Jose State University recognized 147 student-athletes for success and excellence in the classroom at the 2011 Arm & Pat Hanzad Scholar-Athlete Celebration in the Event Center on Thursday, December 1.

Student-athletes who earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale for the 2010-11 academic year were eligible for recognition from the University’s athletics department.

“This event is one of our department’s finest,” Athletics Director Tom Bowen said.  “Seven years ago, when I arrived at San Jose State, we made a commitment to academic excellence.  I could not be prouder of what our athletes have accomplished in the classroom and on the field of play.”

Of the 147 Scholar-Athletes, 106 also received academic All-Conference honors from the Western Athletic Conference or the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. These Scholar-Athletes maintained a 3.00 or better cumulative grade-point average and participated in at least 50 percent of their team’s contests during the academic year.

Darci Anderson of the swimming and diving team; and Kelly Stewart, water polo, were cited as the five female student-athletes with the highest grade-point average. Basketball player Wil Carter; Luis Esparza, cross country, Blake McFarland, baseball, Nick Murphy, soccer and Joey Ruth, football, registered the top-five grade-point averages among the six men’s sports teams. Four of the ladies and one of the men have a cumulative grade-point average above 3.9.

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