Northwestern Earns Record 117 Fall Academic All-Big Ten Honors
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EVANSTON, Ill. — A school-record 117 Northwestern student-athletes representing six varsity programs have earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the fall season, the Conference announced Wednesday.
NUSports.com – Complete List Of Academic All-Big Ten Honorees
The Wildcats’ football program earned a record and Big Ten-best 59 honors, while field hockey tied for the highest mark in its sport with 15 honorees. In addition to field hockey, men’s soccer and women’s soccer both posted double-digit recipients. The 117 honorees represent nearly 73 percent of eligible Wildcats. Individually, Chad Hanaoka of football, and Madi Kennel and Nikia Smith from women’s soccer were among 36 Big Ten student-athletes recognized for perfect 4.0 grade point averages.
“We ask our student-athletes to compete at the absolute highest level in the classroom, in the community and in competition, and the group continues to raise the bar academically,” said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips. “You strive to begin every new year on a high note, and to see our fall teams earn record numbers of Academic All-Big Ten honors while also bringing home championships and All-America honors speaks directly to their commitment. This group of exceptional young men and women is making the Northwestern community proud in all areas.”
Northwestern’s total of 117 student-athletes ranks second in the Big Ten behind Michigan’s 122 honorees, which sponsors one additional fall sport for a total of seven varsity programs. To earn Academic All-Big Ten distinction, an athlete must be in at least their second year at the institution and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0-or-better.
Northwestern student-athletes took home 227 Academic All-Big Ten awards in total last year. The 2017-18 academic year marked the eighth-straight in which the ‘Cats have topped 200 total honors. The Office of Academic Services & Student Development is a vital force in supporting the athletic department’s mission of providing a world-class academic experience for student-athletes, providing a comprehensive array of programs and services.
Instituted beginning in 2008-09, the conference office also will hand out the Distinguished Scholar Award at the end of the academic year. Student-athletes eligible for the Distinguished Scholar Award must be letter winners in at least their second year in residence at their institution. Qualifying student-athletes must have earned a GPA of 3.7 or higher for the current academic year, excluding summer school. The 3.7 GPA benchmark was designed to include the top 10 percent of all eligible student-athletes. The Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award was established by conference Faculty Representatives as an addition to the conference’s Academic All-Big Ten program.
