Staten Island, NY | The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has announced the record-number 713 teams that have earned the distinction of Scholar All-America team for the Fall 2018 semester, and the College of Staten Island’s men’s swimming & diving units were among the honorees. To earn the honor, teams were required to post a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the Fall Semester. This marks the third-straight year that the men’s team has been recognized.
The CSI men achieved a GPA of 3.07 over the fall semester as is one of the College’s highest-achieving programs by GPA. Junior Michael Sorensen leads the way with a perfect 4.0 GPA. For Head Coach Michael Ackalitis, the hard work in the classroom is a mirror to the level of commitment and focus that the team has in the pool.
“Our men’s program works just as hard in the classroom as they do in the pool. This recognition just shows their level of commitment to truly embrace the term student-athlete,” said Ackalitis. “It’s very important to balance both academics and swimming but it’s especially rewarding when you can succeed in both.”
The 713 teams are the most ever to be named in the spring semester, according to the CSCAA. CSI had the only CUNYAC men’s program to achieve the honor. Baruch College, Hunter College, and Lehman College had their women’s teams cited as CSCAA Scholar All-America teams as well. Queensborough Community College earned distinction as an NJCAA member for the first time in their history as well. Among all of the teams honored, Massachusetts Institute of Technology led the way on the men’s side with a 3.78 GPA, while Saint Catherine’s on the women’s side earned a 3.75 GPA.
Founded in 1922, the CSCAA is the oldest organization of college coaches in America. It is an organization of college swimming and diving coaches dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport at the collegiate level.
A full list of Scholar All-America institutions across all NCAA Divisions, click HERE.
