May 15, 2008

HAMPTON, VA- Twenty-two student-athletes from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association have been named to the 2008 CIAA Commissioner's All-Academic Team.

This year the team recognizes 22 student-athletes, 10 on the First and Second Teams while two were designated as Honorable Mentions. For the first time in its 11-year history, the team, which is voted on by the CIAA-Sports Information Directors' Association, shows an even balance- with both the First and Second team honorees averaging a 3.620 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).

"It is gratifying to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's team. These student-athletes have truly realized the success that can be attained by finding the balance between their academic studies and athletic participation," commented Commissioner Leon Kerry.

Headlining the First Team is Christina Hager as the only repeat Commissioner's All-Academic First Team honoree from a year ago. Hager, a native of Angier, NC and two-time All-CIAA volleyball performer, just wrapped up her career at ECSU as a two-sport athlete in volleyball and basketball. Hager graduated earlier this month Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in both Business Administration and Accounting.

Hager's basketball teammate Celeste Trahan was also named to the All-Academic First Team for the after wrapping up the most celebrated career of any female student-athlete in ECSU history. A six-time All-American, Trahan was named the Daktronics Division II National Player of the Year after becoming the first woman in Division II history to post over 2,000 points and 1,500 rebounds in a career. Earlier this season she was named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Third Team as voted by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Trahan graduated with a B.A. in Education and finished with Cum Laude honors.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must have completed one full academic year at a CIAA institution, earned a minimum 3.20 overall grade point average and excelled as a starter or significant reserve in a CIAA sanctioned sport.