Student-athletes recognized for academic achievement

By Cecile Nguyen

Matt Hatzke's alarm clock rings early Thursday morning. The junior midfielder shuts it off and gets ready for soccer practice at 7 a.m.

It's the typical life of a student-athlete. Like Hatzke, many other student-athletes must balance their time between rigorous practice schedules and academics.

"I have a crazy schedule," said junior volleyball player Anna Cmaylo. "I go from class straight to practice, then back to class and then another practice."

Cmaylo is a double major in political science and environmental studies and has a minor in French. She not only coordinates volleyball and her work toward a double degree, but also maintains a job in the interim library and coaches a youth volleyball team from the San Jose area.

"I don't know how I do it," Cmaylo said of her demanding schedule. "I manage it all somehow."

The West Coast Conference recently awarded 14 Broncos with All-Academic honors for their achievements in the classroom.

Of the 14 student-athletes who earned the honor, six of them were also named All-District VIII by "ESPN The Magazine." Shannon Bell, a senior cross country runner, said the awards recognize the difficulty of school and sports.

"These awards acknowledge that it's not the easiest thing in the world being both a student and an athlete," said Bell.

Hatzke, a recipient of both honors, said that he came into Santa Clara with the goal to do well both academically and athletically.

"It means a great deal to me to be honored," said Hatzke. "I strive to do well in the classroom as well as on the field."

In addition to the individual honors awarded by the WCC, Santa Clara student-athletes from all 19 varsity sports have raised their cumulative grade point average to 3.01 following winter quarter grade reports, according to the the Athletic Department.

Athletic Director Dan Coonan said it has been a goal of the Athletic Department for years to have a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

"It is a great feeling to see the student-athletes reach that goal," Coonan said. "I'm very proud of their efforts."

The women's golf team leads all varsity sports with a cumulative team GPA of 3.46.

In addition, Hilaire Fouts, Jenny Nelson, Eriko Sato and Megan Stoddart were all named National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholars.

"I am very proud of their efforts," said Polly Schulze, the women's golf coach. "They strive to be the best in everything that they do."

For some, a degree will serve as a back-up in their pursuit of becoming a professional athlete. But for others, these degrees will prepare them for graduate school or even work.

Hatzke plans on entering the Major League Soccer draft upon graduation this December, while Bell plans on attending Northwestern University and pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy.

"I think Santa Clara prepares me for work in the real world," said Cmaylo. "I strive to work hard in the classroom. I'm at an amazing school and I want to take advantage of that."

All student-athletes will be recognized for their efforts in both academics and athletics before Saturday's home baseball game versus San Diego.

Contact Cecile Nguyen at cnguyen5@scu.edu.