Jan. 24, 2008

ORONO, Maine--The University of Maine announced on Thursday that over half of their student-athletes will be honored as scholar-athletes and recognized for their success in the classroom at a special awards ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. The 231 student-athletes have all achieved a 3.0 or better grade point average for the 2007 year and/or have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. First-year student-athletes are honored as *Rising Stars* for earning a 3.0 or better in their first semester at Maine.

Now in its 19th year, the awards have been presented annually since 1989 and 2,118 medallions have been awarded. This is the fifth year in a row that over half of the student-athletes have been honored. The event is sponsored by The University of Maine Alumni Association, The University of Maine M Club and The University of Maine Foundation.

"University of Maine athletics prides itself on academic and athletic success," said Director of Athletics Blake James. "This group exemplifies what it means to be student-athletes. They have excelled academically while competing at the highest level athletically. Everyone involved with Maine athletics recognizes and truly appreciates the accomplishments of these individuals."

The University of Maine Athletic Department will honor these student-athletes at a reception on Sunday, January 27 in Memorial Gym at 10:00 a.m., and also announce the annual recipients of the "M" Club Dean Smith Award, presented to the top male and female scholar-athlete. In addition, all scholar-athletes and the *Rising Stars* will be recognized at halftime of the men's basketball game against Binghamton, which begins at 12:00 noon at Alfond Arena.

The student-athletes represent all 19 of Maine's teams, and all six of the University of Maine's colleges, including the Honors College. The women's track and field and cross country teams had the most student-athletes honored with 31, followed by the football team which had 24 student-athletes honored. Men's track and field and cross country had 21 student athletes honored, while the men's ice hockey team had 17 student-athletes honord.

All scholar-athletes will receive a medallion, the color of which represents the number of years that a recipient has earned the award. This year 100 student-athletes will receive bronze medals signifying the first time that they have received the award, 40 will receive silver medals signifying the second time that they have received the award, and 22 student-athletes will receive gold medals signifying the third time that they have received the award. Three student-athletes will receive double gold medals for their fourth time award. In addition, 65 first-year student-athletes will be honored as *Rising Stars* for earning a 3.0 or better in their first semester at Maine.

2007-08 UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SCHOLAR-ATHLETES (By Medal)