Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Celebrates Scholar-Athletes Accomplishments
5/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
May 3, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. -
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The Ninth Annual Kiwanis Torch of Excellence Dinner is right around the corner as the Kiwanis Club of Division 5 as well as the Fresno State Athletics Department have come together to single out distinguished accomplishments by Bulldog student-athletes over the past year.
The annual recognition will take place on Mon., May 9, at the Radisson Hotel Convention Center, located in downtown Fresno. A reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will precede the dinner at 6:00 p.m., which is being emceed by KMPH 26 sports director, Ralph Wood. Reservations are being taken and tickets can be purchased at $45 by phoning Fresno State Student-Athlete Services Office at (559) 278-2963.
Honoring its second highest single total, the event will celebrate 279 Fresno State student-athletes who have achieved a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA for the 2004 spring and fall semesters, or who have maintained a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA during their academic career.
More than half (55%) of Fresno State's 511 student-athletes are being recognized as this year marks the highest percentage of Bulldogs ever being honored for their diligence as students.
With the athletics department commemorating the success of its student-athletes for the 16th straight year, 16 seniors will be honored as Torchlighters, an award that recognizes seniors who are completing their eligibility, have lettered two of the past three years and have a cumulative 3.5 GPA.
In addition to the Torchlighters being acclaimed, nine other awards will be handed out as well: Western Athletic Conference Stan Bates nominees, Harold Haak Scholarship, George Ilg Memorial Award, Dr. Paul Thaxter Memorial Scholarship, Paul Schechter Courage Award, SAAC Outstanding Professor Award, Athletics Director's Award for Community Service, Bulldog Foundation Business Award and Bruce Farris Media Award.
One of the evening's highlights also include the recognition of Dean's Medalists in Lucia Tallo (tennis) and Kristin Leon (swimming and diving). As the top student in their respective college, Tallo (Arts and Humanities) and Leon (Craig School of Business) are now candidates for the President's Medal which is handed out at commencements. Two former Bulldog student-athletes have received the President's Medal: Derrick Mitchell (1998, track and field) and Dora Djilianova (2000, tennis).
Fresno State has announced its WAC's Stan Bates nominees in Jamie Southern (softball) and Stephen Spach (football). The Stan Bates, an award given out by the WAC in early summer, recognizes a senior who is a well-rounded student, athlete and person.
The 16 Torchlighter recipients include Ian Mason (track and field), Heather Young (soccer), Erin Lange (equestrian), Emily Holl (equestrian), Pamela Cullip (equestrian), Courtney Crain (equestrian), Margaret Clancy (equestrian), Katie Applin (equestrian), Jamie Southern (softball), Lucia Tallo (tennis), Courtney Jantz (tennis), Lexine Lesser (track and field), Nicolin Neal (track and field), Courtney Stewart (track and field), Andria Osteen (cross country) and Mark Modglin (golf).
The all-time record for most Fresno State student-athletes being commended is 286 in 2003 but at that time Fresno State had 20 sports and 530 students involved in Bulldogs athletics. Today, Fresno State currently offers 17 sports.
The original scholar-athlete honors event was produced in-house by the Fresno State Athletics Department, Office of Academic Services in 1989.
Major sponsors for this event include the Educational Employees Credit Union (gold) as well as KMPH Newsradio/Channel 26 (silver), Dr. Paul Oliaro (silver), Fresno State Athletics Department (silver), Kiwanis Club of East Fresno (silver), Kiwanis Club of Fresno (silver), and California Business Machines (bronze), Stewart Title of California, Inc. (bronze), Kiwanis Club of Kingsburg (bronze) and Kiwanis Club of Old Town Clovis (bronze).
Players Mentioned
