Massachusetts Maritime joined numerous schools across the country in the celebration of National Student-Athlete Day on Tuesday morning, as 13 Buccaneer student-athletes were honored for their achievements both in the classroom and on the field of play.

The second annual Massachusetts Maritime National Student-Athlete Day Academic Excellence Breakfast, which was co-sponsored by the Office of the Academic Dean and the Department of Athletics, brought together student-athletes, coaches, faculty and administration together to celebrate National Student-Athlete Day, which recognizes the accomplishments of student-athletes nationwide who excel in the classroom, on the playing fields and in their communities.  Created by the Northeastern University Center for the Study of Sport in Society, National Student-Athlete Day is also supported by both the NCAA and the National Consortium for Academics and Sports.

Each of the Buccaneer honorees represented their respective program in achieving several outstanding accomplishments, whether it be in the classroom with the highest grade point average for the Fall 2010 semester or by demonstrating outstanding leadership both in competition and in the community.  The 2011 Massachusetts Maritime National Student-Athlete Day honorees are:

BASEBALL                                           

1/C Sarkis Nahigian                         North Falmouth, Mass.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY/

OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD           

3/C Evan Balderelli                         Brimfield, Mass.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY      

2/C Julie Shebroe                            Little Falls, N.J.

MEN’S CREW                                    

3/C Craig Lohr                                    Mashpee, Mass.

WOMEN’S CREW                            

3/C Emma King                                 Princeton, Mass.

FOOTBALL                                          

4/C Brandon Rodrigues                 Brockton, Mass.

MEN’S LACROSSE                            

2/C Matt Adam                                 Sandwich, Mass.

RIFLE                                                    

1/C Michael Surette                       Lynn, Mass.

SAILING                                              

1/C Rob Gallagher                           Sandwich, Mass.

MEN’S SOCCER                                

1/C Jonathan White                       Lynnfield, Mass.

WOMEN’S SOCCER                        

1/C Stephanie Lee                           Acton, Mass.

SOFTBALL                                           

2/C Holly McLaughlin                    Belmont, Mass.

VOLLEYBALL                                      

4/C Melanie Holder                       Calidonio, Panama

The cadets were presented with special awards by Captain Brad Lima, Massachusetts Maritime’s Academic Dean, and were offered congratulatory remarks by Academy President Admiral Rick Gurnon as well as Director of Athletics Bob Corradi.