Making the Grade

To say the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team excelled on the diamond in 2009 would sell these student-athletes short. Not only did they complete one of the most successful seasons in school history, but the Lions also put up some impressive numbers in the classroom.

The Southeastern Louisiana baseball team had a university high 23 student-athletes post a 3.0 grade point average or higher in the spring, which earned them each a spot on the 2009 Capital One/Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. For a student-athlete to be named to the Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll he/she must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the semester their championship is awarded and be nominated by their respective academic advisors. Topping the Honor Roll for the Lions were ESPN the Magazine/Co SIDA Academic All-District and SLC Academic All-District pick Josh Cryer, as well as All-SLC pitchers Ryan Boudreaux and Chris Franklin. Franklin was also a 3rd team All-American.

In all 23 members of the 35 man roster posted a 3.0 or better. Josh Cryer (Accounting), Chris Ernest (General Studies), Doran Drummond (Management), and Phil White (Athletic Training) all led the way with a 4.0 GPA. Ross Barbier (Sports Management), Ryan Collins (General Studies), Cody Gougler (Kinesiology), and Joel Sessions (General Studies) all had a 3.5 GPA or better. Other players posting a 3.0 GPA are better are: Josh Bailey (General Studies), Justin Boudreaux (General Studies), Ryan Boudreaux (General Studies), Chris Cappo (General Studies), Jordan D’Arensbourg (General Studies), Chris Franklin (General Studies), Cass Hargis (General Studies), Torin Lucas (Sports Management), Trey Martin (General Studies), Brian McCants (General Studies), Justin Schneider (Accounting), David Smith (General Business), Joe Sparacino (General Studies), Brandon Street (General Studies), and Kelly Weems (General Studies).

And if that wasn’t impressive enough the Lion baseball team led the Athletic Department with 8 student-athletes earning bachelor’s degrees in the spring. Chris Cappo, Ryan Collins, Jordan D’Arensbourg, Robert Rugg, and Brandon Street along with 2008 team members Xavier Qualls (General Studies), Matt Schexnayder (Kinesiology), and Casey Summerlin (General Studies) all earned their college degrees.

When looking back at the 2009 season it truly was one the most successful in school history for the Lion baseball team, both on and off the diamond.