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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel netters earn ITA Academic Awards
7/16/2003 | Men's Tennis
July 16, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - Members of the Ole Miss men's and women's tennis teams have been recognized on a team and individual level for their efforts in the classroom by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association as the ITA announced its academic awards for the 2002-03 year Wednesday.
The Lady Rebels were one of 72 Division I women's teams to earn the prestigious ITA All-Academic Team Award. This marks the seventh year in a row that the Lady Rebels have received this honor, open to teams that have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or above (on a 4.00 scale). The team boasted an impressive 3.46 GPA for the 2002-03 academic year.
"To receive this honor seven consecutive years speaks to the caliber of student-athletes we have brought into the program," head coach Mark Beyers said. "We place an emphasis on academics, and we are very proud to say that we have achieved a high level of success in the classroom. These fine young ladies have done an outstanding job representing the University."
In the individual awards, Lady Rebels' Florencia Basile, Karem Harboe and Virginia Tomatis and Rebels' David Donaldson and Claes Lindholm were named ITA Scholar-Athletes. In order to earn ITA Scholar-Athlete status a player must be a varsity letterwinner, have a grade point average of at least a 3.50 for the current academic year and have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters (including freshman through senior year).
Donaldson, a rising sophomore and a member of the Honor's College, posted an impressive 4.0 this past year to earn the distinction for the first time in his career. He has been on the Chancellor's Honor Roll every semester. Lindholm, also a first time honoree, registered a 3.55 GPA in International Business. The senior-to-be has been on the Dean's Honor Roll every semester since transferring to Ole Miss prior to the 2002 season. While excelling in the classroom this past year, both helped lead the Rebels to their second consecutive SEC Western Division Championship and the NCAA Elite Eight.
"This award recognizes the outstanding year Claes and David had in the classroom, and we are very proud of them," head coach Billy Chadwick said. "Both emphasize student in the word student-athlete.
"We had a great year on the court, winning the SEC West and advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight. We are also extremely pleased to have several members of our team be recognized for their excellence in the classroom."
Basile, an International Business major, posted a 4.0 GPA for the year to earn the honor for the first time in her career. The senior-to-be has been a member of the Chancellor's Honor Roll all but one semester, when she made the Dean's list. Harboe, a rising senior, notched a 3.90 GPA for the year and also received the award for the first time in her career. An International Business major, Harboe has been on the University Honor Roll every semester. Tomatis adjusted to being a student-athlete quite well in her first year, boasting a 4.0 GPA, while competing for the first time in the toughest conference in the nation. The upcoming sophomore is majoring in Nutrition.
"Florencia, Karem and Vicki are being recognized for their outstanding achievements in the classroom, and they deserve it," Beyers said. "They represent all the good in college athletics, and we are proud to have them in our program."