LIU honored as initial recipient of USA Today/NCAA Foundation Academic Achievement Award

Long Island University was one of nine schools last Friday to receive the inaugural USA Today/NCAA Foundation Academic Achievement Award for excellence among student-athletes.

The Blackbirds were selected for having the highest student-athlete graduation rate -- 50 percent -- above the average of the student body among Division I institutions from 1994-2000. Their total was 13 percent greater than second-place Hofstra University and the highest among all NCAA institutions.

LIU was recognized at a reception and banquet at the new USA Today headquarters in McLean, VA and was presented $25,000. This is the first year the academic achievement awards were given and are possible due to a $2.6 million gift given by USA Today to the NCAA Foundation last year.

Among those in attendance for LIU were director of athletics John Suarez, faculty representative Ralph Engelman and junior Maurice Yearwood (Brooklyn, NY/Brooklyn Tech), last season’s Northeast Conference Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete. The awards were presented by NCAA president Cedric Dempsey and USA Today president and publisher Tom Curley.

“It is impressive for Long Island University to be recognized for its hard work and its dedication towards the athletic department and its student-athletes,” Engelman said. “I am extremely pleased with the success our student-athletes have enjoyed both academically and athletically.”