THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - On Wednesday, Apr. 6 institutions
of higher learning will celebrate student-athletes across the country as part
of National Student-Athlete Day. The program of the National Consortium for
Academics and Sports (NCAS), has been celebrated annually on this date since
1987.
Official Website: National Student-Athlete Day
"We are very proud to honor hundreds of student
athletes competing at CLU in 19 Division III sports programs and soon to be 20
with the addition of women's golf in 2011," commented Cal Lutheran Athletics Director Dan Kuntz. "As Division III athletes our students
embrace the philosophy that competing in sports is an educational experience
where learning extends beyond the classroom."
Brett Halvaks, the current CLU SAAC President as well as the NCAA Division III SCIAC and Northwest Conference SAAC Representative
is receiving and giving out recognition to fellow student-athletes.
"I believe this day provides a wonderful opportunity to recognize what
CLU Student-Athletes have accomplished over this past year; both in their sport
and in the classroom as well," said Cal Lutheran Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
President Brett Halvaks.
The special day honors
individuals at both the high school and collegiate levels. There are over
425,000 NCAA student-athletes with Cal Lutheran representing some of the more
than 168,000 from Division III.
"It is remarkable to think
that CLU, not to mention all Division III student-athletes in general are
competing at such a high level while being provided minimal athletic aid,"
stated Halvaks who is a member of both the Kingsmen cross country and track and
field teams.
Appropriately two of Cal Lutheran's eight spring teams will hold true to the student-athlete moniker with women's water polo hosting Redlands at 5 p.m. and baseball heading out to Chapman on a day that recognizes the student-athlete.