A Record Win

VERMONT STUDENT-ATHLETES EARN NINTH AMERICA EAST ACADEMIC CUP

The America East Conference announced July 20th that the University of Vermont’s student athletes secured the athletic department’s record ninth Walter Harrison Academic Cup. The Walter Harrison Academic Cup is presented each season by the conference to the institution with the best cumulative GPA among its student-athletes competing in league sports. Vermont earned the 2022-23 honor with a cumulative GPA of 3.46.

“UVM championships rally our fans far and wide, and winning the America East Academic Cup is a special point of pride for the university,” UVM President Suresh Garimella said. “Our teams consistently match academic success with athletic achievement at the highest levels. Catamounts are championship studentathletes in every sense of the phrase.”

In addition, four Vermont sports programs were recognized for having the highest cumulative GPA in their respective sports. Vermont Men’s Cross Country (3.53 GPA), Women’s Swimming & Diving (3.71), Men’s Track & Field (3.48 GPA) and Women’s Track & Field (3.62 GPA) were the top performing America East programs in their sport.

“Capturing the America East Academic Cup for the ninth time in school history is a tremendous honor and testament to the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” UVM Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman said. “I want to specifically recognize my three colleagues who serve as academic advisors: Cathy Rahill, Namik Sevlic, and Jess Cassotis. Academic success has been a hallmark of UVM Athletics throughout our history, and this announcement, along with the tremendous competitive success enjoyed by so many Catamount teams, recognizes our efforts at achieving excellence in all that we do.”

The Academic Cup was established by the America East Board of Directors in 1995. The award was named for longtime University of Hartford President Walter Harrison in 2017. America East student-athletes averaged a 3.37 GPA overall in 2022-23, the secondhighest in conference history. All nine America East institutions averaged better than a 3.19 GPA in 2022-23. It’s the 18th consecutive year America East studentathletes have averaged better than a 3.0 GPA.

“It’s fantastic that our student-athletes have been recognized for their tremendous work in the classroom,” said Rahill, associate athletic director for student-athlete development and academic affairs. “I’m constantly inspired by their ability to excel academically while juggling demanding athletic schedules. I’d also like to congratulate our coaches who do everything they can to support the academic goals of their players.”

Feature Photo by Brian Foley