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Queen’s student-athletes are used to getting up early as they balance athletic and scholastic demands. Many of the 396 academic all-stars from 2014-15 were up at the crack of dawn again this morning, but this time they could relax as the university celebrated their achievements at a special ceremony.

“Despite a demanding schedule of early morning workouts, daily practices, and weekends on the road competing for Queen’s, our student-athletes demonstrate a remarkable commitment to academic success in the classroom,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. “Our student-athletes are wonderful ambassadors for Queen’s, accomplishing so much, both academically and in their chosen sport.”

More than 40 per cent of the student-athlete population at Queen’s earned a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) or 80 per cent average in 2014-15. This is the highest ever number of academic all-stars at Queen’s and a 20 per cent increase over the previous year. Queen’s consistently places among the top five schools in Canada for the number of academic all-stars.

“We are extremely proud of these outstanding student-athletes,” says Leslie Dal Cin, Executive Director, Queen’s Athletics and Recreation (A&R).  “Their hard work combined with dedicated support from our coaches and staff members in the faculties, schools and various departments have led to some truly outstanding academic and athletic achievements.” 

In 2014-15, 222 student-athletes earned the academic all-star distinction for the first time, while 25 of the 174 repeat all-stars have been honoured consecutively five, six or seven times. (Varsity clubs outside of Ontario University Athletics or Canadian Interuniversity Sport don’t have eligibility restrictions).

The women’s track and field and women’s basketball teams boasted the highest percentage of all-stars on their rosters, with 88 per cent and 71 per cent, respectively. The top academic all-stars include Cameron Bardwell (Track and Field, Arts and Science), who posted a 4.3 GPA (the highest possible average on the Queen’s grading scale), and Julia Jackson (Triathlon, Arts and Science), Sam Abernethy (Soccer, Arts and Science) and Alesha Sealy (Hockey, Engineering and Applied Science), all who posted a 4.27 GPA.

Also at the academic all-star celebration, A&R presented Alan Harrison, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), with the Athletics Champion Award. Harrison, who is retiring when his term ends on July 31, 2016, was honoured for his support and recognition that sport, recreation and physical activity are an important part of campus life and the student learning experience.