Division Of Athletics Honors Student-Athletes At Academic And Athletics Success Celebration

Academic And Athletic Success Celebration Photo Gallery

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo Division of Athletics held its annual Academic and Athletics Success Celebration on Tuesday night inside Alumni Arena.

Track and Field thrower Shante’ White took home top honors as this year’s recipient of the Clifford C. Furnas Award. The Furnas Award is provided through annual interest earnings from the C.C. Furnas Fund in the University at Buffalo Foundation, Inc. and recognizes outstanding undergraduate performance in scholarship and athletic prowess. The recipient must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and be committed to graduate study, have strong personal character and outstanding athletic accomplishments.

White, a nursing major with a 3.725 GPA, won the Mid-American Conference title in the hammer throw last season, setting UB and MAC meet records in the process.  She narrowly missed going to her first NCAA Championships as she finished 13th at the NCAA East Regional Primary.  White is redshirting the 2011-12 season to focus on academics, but will return to compete for the Bulls in 2012-13.

The recipients of the Ideal Bull Distinguished Student-Athlete Leadership Award were Cornelia Willis from the rowing team and Rob Golabek from the track and field team. This award is given by the Intercollegiate Athletics Board to honor senior athletes who have demonstrated leadership beyond their own teams to the Division and/or the campus, and whose character, actions, excellence and concern for other student-athletes make them strong ambassadors for the Division of Athletics and the University at Buffalo.

Ayo Ehindero of the women’s track and field team was this year’s winner of the Chrisy Dickerson Unsung Hero Award, as selected by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to recognize an individual who makes a significant contribution on the court, field or in the pool and is recognized for his or her dedication, unselfishness and contribution to the team. The award is named in honor of Christine Dickerson, a member of UB’s rowing team who died tragically in a car accident in Ellicottville on December 11, 2002.

Graham Whinery, an offensive lineman who will be senior on next year’s football team, was awarded the 1958 Lambert Cup Football Team Endowed Scholarship.   Members of the 1958 football team created this scholarship and many former players have contributed to this endowment fund. In three short years it has already eclipsed the $500,000 mark.

Also recognized at Tuesday's ceremony were UB student-athletes that received the Taurus Aureus Award, Chi Alpha Sigma Award, MAC Commissioner’s Award and MAC Presidential Award.

Taurus Aureus, which was given to 41 student-athletes, is given to student-athletes with an overall grade point average of 3.00 or higher and have completed at least 95 credit hours.

Chi Alpha Sigma had 36 recipients and is the award given to students with a 3.40 GPA and who have completed at least 60 credit hours.

The MAC Commissioner’s Award, given to 15 athletes, goes to a student-athlete with a 3.50 GPA, who is of sophomore, junior or senior standing.

Finally, the MAC Presidential Award is given to a student-athlete with a 3.50 GPA and is a graduating senior. 17 student-athletes were given the MAC Presidential Award.