A record number of Cleveland State University's student-athletes, representing every sport sponsored by the school, were recognized Thursday for their academic accomplishments at the 19th Annual John Konstantinos Athletic Academic Honors Luncheon at the Wolstein Center. 152 student-athletes were recognized for maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 or better through the end of the fall 2008 semester.

CSU Director of Athletics Lee Reed said:

"The Athletic Academic Honors Luncheon celebrates what intercollegiate athletics is all about. We are quick to recognize the athletic achievements of our student-athletes but may be guilty of taking for granted their academic accomplishments. This luncheon allows us to take a moment to congratulate our student-athletes who are able to successfully maintain a balance between athletics and academics."

The women's soccer team led all CSU sports with 18 honorees. Volleyball came in second with 15 honorees and was followed by baseball (14), cross country (14), softball (12) and men's soccer and women's swimming with 10 each.

Men's basketball player J'Nathan Bullock and women's cross country athlete Julie Piotrowski received the 11th annual John McLendon Award. This award is given to the student-athletes who best represent the ideals and personal philosophy of McLendon, a former CSU men's basketball coach who is now enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Those ideals and philosophies include integrity, honor and leadership, as well as commitment to civility, service to others, and the concept of team first, last and foremost.

Women's fencer Courtney Zemkowsky was awarded the President's Award for the graduating senior with the highest GPA. She had a 3.84 GPA, and will graduate next month will a degree in health science.

Wrestler Marcus Effner was given the Faculty Athletic Representative Award. This award is given to the senior student-athlete that has exhibited the most profound improvement academically from freshman year to graduation.

The "Best of the Best" Team Award went to volleyball for the second straight year. This award is given to the sport with the highest team GPA. The volleyball team had a 3.58 GPA, and 15 or the team's 16 members had at least a 3.0 GPA.

33 student-atheletes were also honored for being on the Dean's List during every term attended at CSU. Volkmar Baur (Men's Swimming), Liz Fazio (Volleyball), Haley Keller (Softball), Alexis Korovich (Volleyball), Melisa Mazanec (Cross Country), Kristina Nagy (Women's Swimming), Jennifer Ramminger (Volleyball), Robert West (Men's Tennis), Steven Wipprecht (Men's Tennis) and Courtney Zemkosky (Women's Fencing) were honored for being on the list for seven consecutive terms.

Named after former CSU Director of Athletics John Konstantinos, the event has been held annually since 1991.