Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Wins MAC Academic Award
Aug. 7, 2000
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University won the Mid-American Conference Institutional Academic Achievement Award for the fourth straight year.
The honor is presented to the MAC member that has the highest overall grade-point average for student-athletes competing in conference-sponsored sports.
A total of 377 Chippewa athletes in 16 sports posted an impressive 3.07 cumulative GPA in 1999-2000.
CMU shared the honor in 1996-97 with Ball State (2.92 GPA) and won it outright in 1997-98 with a 3.01 and 1998-99 at 3.00.
"We're extremely proud of our student-athletes," said Athletics Director Herb Deromedi. "It shows the continued emphasis by our athletics department on academics. "A great deal of credit has to go to the academic support staff."
Pat Podoll, Assistant AD for Academics, Jason Holtman, Academic Adviser, and Deb McAlpin, Lifeskills Coordinator, handle the academics for Chippewa athletics.
"I am greatly impressed with the academic accomplishment of our student-athletes," said new Central Michigan President Michael Rao. "Balancing athletic commitments with a dedication to academic excellence is a tremendous challenge for student-athletes, and CMU's athletes have consistently demonstrated success both athletically and academically.
"This is a wonderful honor that the entire Central Michigan University community can take pride in. It's also an indication of the hard work and commitment of Herb Deromedi, the coaching staffs and the academic support people."
Ball State was second this year with a 2.99 GPA.