Massachusetts Maritime joined numerous schools across the country in the celebration of National Student-Athlete Day on Wednesday afternoon, as 14 Buccaneer student-athletes were honored for their achievements in competition, in the classroom and in the community.

The fourth annual Massachusetts Maritime National Student-Athlete Day Academic Excellence Luncheon, which was co-sponsored by the Office of the Academic Affairs and the Department of Athletics, brought together student-athletes, coaches, faculty and administration 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.  This year’s event also kicks off Massachusetts Maritime’s participation in the week long national celebration of NCAA Division III Week.

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 2012 semester or by demonstrating outstanding leadership both in competition and in the community.  The 2013 Massachusetts Maritime National Student-Athlete Day honorees are:

BASEBALL                                            1/C Patrick Derrane                        Utica, N.Y.         

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY               2/C Matt Lincoff                               Wakefield, Mass.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY/

WOMEN’S LACROSSE                     2/C Jenelle Piche                             Coventry, R.I.

MEN’S CREW                                     4/C Judson Yerkes                           West Barnstable, Mass.

WOMEN’S CREW                             4/C Sarah Lewis                                Deer Park, Ill.

FOOTBALL                                           2/C Brandon Rodrigues                 Brockton, Mass.

MEN’S LACROSSE                             1/C Dan Langley                               Abington, Mass.

RIFLE                                                     3/C Diana Kurek                               Stamford, Conn.

SAILING                                               2/C Nicholas Flahive                      Westboro, Mass.

MEN’S SOCCER                                 4/C Ryan Culp                                    Centreville, Md.

WOMEN’S SOCCER                         1/C Kim Courcy                                 Warwick, R.I.

SOFTBALL                                            2/C Amanda Tine                             Chelmsford, Mass.

VOLLEYBALL                                       2/C Melanie Holder                       Calidonio, Panama

OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD            1/C Evan Balderelli                         Brimfield, Mass.

The cadets were presented with special awards by Captain Brad Lima, Massachusetts Maritime’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, and were offered congratulatory remarks by Academy Director of Athletics Bob Corradi.