Lehigh Times

Cedar Crest College Athletics issued the following announcement on Dec. 3.

For the fourth time in school history, and the second straight time, Cedar Crest College is the recipient of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Institutional Academic Excellence Award. Cedar Crest earned the honor for the 2020-21 academic year with a grade point average of 3.393. The award is given annually to the institution whose student-athletes, while competing in CSAC-sponsored sports, achieve the highest combined grade-point average for that academic year. Cedar Crest previously won the award in 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2018-19. The award was not given during the 2019-2020 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the 2020-21 academic year, any student-athlete who was on a roster was counted toward grade point average. The fall and winter teams did not have a competitive season due to the pandemic.

Five of the ten CSAC schools had a GPA of 3.00 or higher during the 2020-21 academic year, with two of the schools achieving a 3.2 or higher.

"I am so proud of our student-athletes, who persisted throughout the difficult conditions of the pandemic to achieve excellence in their academic pursuits as well as their athletics," said Cedar Crest President Dr. Elizabeth Meade. "This award is also the result of our outstanding athletics staff who supported our student-athletes in every possible way."

For the 2020-21 academic year, 139 Cedar Crest student-athletes were named to the CSAC All-Academic Team, achieved by earning a grade point average of 3.20 or higher during the 2020-21 academic year. There were 70 on the CSAC Fall All-Academic Team and 69 on the CSAC Winter/Spring All-Academic Team.

"To be honored with this award for a second consecutive year in a row, demonstrates our students drive for not only athletic success, but academic success as well," said Cedar Crest College Director of Athletics, Wellness and Recreation Dr. Allen G. Snook, Jr. "What makes this award even more impressive to me is our students were able to accomplish this during one of the most challenging times of our society."

"I would like to thank our coaches, faculty and staff for their commitment to our student's academic success and support of our department.  I could not be happier for our student-athletes and they are well deserving of this award," Snook added.

"I commend the student-athletes at Cedar Crest for an outstanding year in the classroom," said CSAC Commissioner Marie Stroman. "The commitment to academic excellence, especially during a time of uncertainty over the past year, exhibits the Division III student-athlete model thriving within the CSAC."

Previous winners include Marywood University (2014-15, 2015-16), Clarks Summit University (formerly Baptist Bible College) (2012-13), Cairn University (2010-11, 2016-17) and Immaculata University (2011-12, 2013-14, 2017-18).

Original source can be found here.