First Annual Seahawk Scholarship and Leadership Reception Well Received

Chi Alpha Sigma Class of 2012

St. Mary’s City, Md. – The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Department of Athletics and Recreation hosted its First Annual Seahawk Scholarship and Leadership Reception on March 27 on the St. Mary’s City campus at Daugherty-Palmer Commons.  The reception included the 2012 Chi Alpha Sigma national college student-athlete honor society induction, the recognition of this year’s faculty team mentors as well as honoring the accomplishments of the Seahawk Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Scott Devine, the director of athletics and recreation at St. Mary’s, expressed, “I was extremely pleased with our first annual Seahawk scholarship and leadership reception.  As the public honors college of the state of Maryland, we are fortunate to have so many talented and gifted student-athletes on our rosters, in addition to a truly outstanding faculty who drive the academic experience at St. Mary’s College.

“The theme of the evening was to recognize those being inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college student-athlete honor society, to honor our faculty team mentors for their time and support throughout the year, and to thank our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for its leadership and dedication to campus and community service,” continued Devine. 

Starting off the evening was the induction of 31 new members to the Maryland Beta Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma as well as honoring 20 repeating members of Chi Alpha Sigma.

The evening continued with the recognition the 2011-12 faculty team mentors.  Senior field hockey team captain Jackie Reymann (Catonsville, Md./Catonsville), Assistant Professor of Psychology Scott Mirabile  and Head Women’s Soccer Coach/Senior Woman Administrator Brianne Weaver ’00 all provided testimonials to the benefits of the faculty team mentor Program.  All of the faculty team mentors were presented with framed photos of their respective teams.

Devine added, “Having a number of the faculty team mentors in attendance was special because our professors on this campus deliver the outstanding education we promote during the recruiting process.  These mentors get a unique peek into what the college student-athlete experience is all about by being able to attend practices, be on the sidelines with a team during games, or to even take a road trip with a team.  They also see how academically dedicated our student-athletes and coaches are.  We look forward to continuing to develop this win-win partnership with our teams and our faculty.”

The reception concluded with the recognition of the campus and community service accomplishments of SAAC.  This year, SAAC put on several worthwhile events such as the annual Halloween in the ARC in October and the November canned food drive, finishing second in the Capital Athletic Conference Canned Food Drive Challenge and benefitting the pantry at St. Cecilia’s Church.  SAAC ended the fall semester with a toy drive in December for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.  And just this past April Fool’s Day, the Seahawks hosted a field day for Special Olympics of St. Mary’s County.

Devine ended by saying, “This was truly a gathering of the people who represent what our athletic programs strive to stand for; that is, putting competitive NCAA Division III teams together with student-athletes who excel in their sport, in the classroom, as responsible and visible members of the campus community, and as contributors to the local community.”

About Chi Alpha Sigma: Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, is a nonprofit organization established in 1996 to recognize collegiate student-athletes who earned a varsity letter in at least one sport while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and senior years.  Chi Alpha Sigma hopes to bring honor and recognition to deserving student-athletes, their families, teams, athletic departments, and colleges in much the same way as Phi Beta Kappa honors scholastics.

About Student-Athlete Advisory Committee: The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, or SAAC, is a committee made up of Seahawk student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience at St. Mary’s and beyond.  At least two representatives from each varsity sports team make up SAAC, which strives to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity for all student-athletes; protecting student-athlete well-being; and fostering a positive student-athlete image, while maintaining the tenants of the Division III philosophy – Discover, Develop, Dedicate.  The committee offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect our student-athletes' lives.