FSU CELEBRATES STUDENT-ATHLETE DAY

National Student-Athlete Day has become one of America’s strongest endeavors to promote the STUDENT in the student-athlete and the positive virtues of sport. April 6, 2014 marked the 27th annual celebration of National Student- Athlete Day to recognize the outstanding achievements of student-athletes nationwide and the positive role they play in society.

Antonio Mayo, President of the FSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), football placekicker and golfer, took the lead with making this day exciting. He respectfully garnered campus wide interest and support for honoring student-athletes in a variety of ways during the week of April 6. Since this day fell on a Sunday, we had events throughout the first week of April to celebrate.

On April 2, 2014, National Student- Athlete Day was celebrated in the café with a section reserved for the student-athletes to sit, a live DJ, athletic shaped desserts, and sports-themed decorations. Then, on April 5, 2014, there was a cookout at the softball field, and student-athletes were served hamburgers, hot dogs, fish, baked beans, coleslaw, dessert, lemonade, and sweet tea. Of the 181 student-athletes participating in 11 athletic teams, FSU Athletics also honored 63 student-athletes with a 3.0 GPA or above at halftime of the spring football game.

“We are proud to honor our student-athletes who have achieved excellence in academics and athletics, while making significant contributions to their communities,” says FSU Athletics Director, Dr. Edward McLean. “The Division II membership is focused on an academics first philosophy. Our support of National Student-Athlete Day supports the Division’s commitment to academic excellence.”

“I think this day represents the athlete being a student … someone who is … progressive in not just one but both of their talents,” says Branden Elmore who is an FSU SAAC member and men’s cross country runner.

FSU SAAC member and cheerleader, Darian Williams, says, “It means a personal day for athletes to continue to feel appreciated and special. Being an athlete is challenging but an enjoyable experience that is great to share with not only other athletes but with the community.”

On behalf of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, made up of student-athlete leaders from all of our athletic teams, we wanted to say thank you to our Food Services Director, student body, Director of Student Engagement, coaches, trainers, Admissions Office, Athletic Administration and staff who contributed to the success of the National Student-Athlete Day celebration. We could not have asked for a better celebration!