We’ve reached the time of year when college athletes are recognized for more than their achievements in sport.  These awards provide a different measure of success; scoring 18 points per game or setting Atlantic Hockey records is great, but doing so with an impressive GPA and community responsibility adds another dimension.  Grueling weekend road-trips, the physical and mental tolls of sport and major social sacrifices test college athletes—and often times, academics and community contributions fall through the cracks.

Canisius hockey standout Cory Conacher was selected to the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award All-America First Team yesterday, which recognizes a group of student-athletes with “notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.”  Winners were chosen by Division I head coaches, national media and fans; Conacher earned a whopping 26% of the fans’ vote.  Conacher’s whirlwind pro career, which began almost immediately after his final Canisius game, has him plying his trade with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL.

Griffin stalwart Greg Logins, one of five Canisius basketball seniors already working on their master’s degrees, was chosen to the Division I-AAA Athletic Directors Association Scholar Athlete Team for matching his talents on the hardwood with a 3.48 GPA as a sports administration major.  A scholar-athlete must achieve over a 3.20 GPA and contribute as a starter or an important reserve on a Division I-AAA squad (defined as a D1 college without a football team) to qualify for recognition.

Congratulations to Conacher and Logins for their achievements as both scholars and athletes.