FALL 2011 - The University of Scranton
FALL 2011 - The University of Scranton
FALL 2011 - The University of Scranton
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<strong>Scranton</strong>Athletics<br />
<strong>The</strong> Embodiment <strong>of</strong> a Student-Athlete<br />
22<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Scranton</strong> Journal<br />
PHOTO CREDIT: JIM O’CONNOR/NJSPORTPICS.COM<br />
Two Graduates Balance Schoolwork and Sports,<br />
Earn Prestigious Scholarships<br />
Financing graduate school just got a lot easier<br />
for Carl Caceres ’11 and Chris Stallone ’11.<br />
This summer, the two <strong>Scranton</strong> graduates<br />
were awarded prestigious postgraduate scholarships<br />
by the National Collegiate Athletic Association<br />
(NCAA), bringing the total number <strong>of</strong><br />
recipients from <strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scranton</strong> to 15.<br />
Annually, the NCAA awards just 174 postgraduate<br />
scholarships – 87 for men and 87 for<br />
women – <strong>of</strong> one-time grants <strong>of</strong> $7,500. Founded<br />
in 1964, the program, according to the NCAA<br />
website, “aims to reward those individuals whose<br />
dedication and effort are reflective <strong>of</strong> those<br />
characteristics necessary to succeed and thrive<br />
through postgraduate study in an accredited<br />
graduate degree program.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> NCAA could not have found two better<br />
ambassadors.<br />
Caceres, a standout on the men’s tennis team,<br />
graduated with a double major in philosophy and<br />
theology/religious studies, a minor in communication,<br />
and a concentration in Catholic studies.<br />
He maintained a 3.93 grade point average<br />
throughout his academic career.<br />
CHRIS STALLONE<br />
On the court, he was<br />
a four-year letterman<br />
who finished with a<br />
57-21 record (.731) in<br />
singles and 46-28 mark<br />
(.621) in doubles.<br />
Caceres earned numerous<br />
accolades, landing<br />
first-team All-Landmark<br />
Conference honors three<br />
times for his play in<br />
CARL CACERES<br />
singles. He was also named<br />
the conference’s rookie <strong>of</strong> the year in 2008.<br />
A two-time first-team District II All-Academic<br />
selection by the College Sports Information<br />
Directors <strong>of</strong> America (CoSIDA), Caceres played<br />
a major role in leading head coach Keith Hetsko’s<br />
squad to a four-year record <strong>of</strong> 44-24 (.647),<br />
including berths in the championship match <strong>of</strong><br />
the Landmark tournament in each <strong>of</strong> the past<br />
two seasons.<br />
In addition to the rigors <strong>of</strong> his academic and<br />
athletic schedules, he still found time to work in<br />
the Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong> Ministries, serve as a peer<br />
tutor for the Center for Teaching and Learning<br />
Excellence, and act as a retreat leader, resident<br />
staff advisor and resident assistant for the Office<br />
<strong>of</strong> Residence Life. At the annual Senior Student-<br />
Athlete Banquet in May, Caceres was also selected<br />
as the co-recipient <strong>of</strong> the Father Fitzpatrick<br />
Award for community service.<br />
Stallone, a center fielder on the baseball team,<br />
was equally impressive in his academic and athletic<br />
pursuits.<br />
He distinguished himself by maintaining the<br />
highest grade point average <strong>of</strong> all student-athletes<br />
in the senior class – a 3.95 grade point average<br />
while earning a degree in finance. His efforts in<br />
the classroom earned him a number <strong>of</strong> accolades,<br />
including first-team Academic All-American<br />
in each <strong>of</strong> the last two seasons and third-team<br />
honors in 2009. In addition, he received the Carlesimo<br />
Award for academic and athletic excellence<br />
at the Senior Student-Athlete Banquet.<br />
His success in the classroom was matched only<br />
by his success on the field.<br />
A four-year starter, Stallone finished his career<br />
with a .401 batting average and what is believed<br />
to be a school-record 202 hits. He also hit safely<br />
in 110 career games, including 62 with at least<br />
two hits, and in 2009 he established the Royals’<br />
single-season record for most hits (65). A<br />
three-time first-team All-Landmark Conference<br />
selection, he led head coach Mike Bartoletti’s<br />
program to a four-year record <strong>of</strong> 84-76-1 (.525),<br />
including berths in the championship bracket <strong>of</strong><br />
the Landmark Conference tournament in 2008<br />
and <strong>2011</strong>.<br />
HEAD OF THE CLASS<br />
<strong>The</strong> following <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scranton</strong><br />
student-athletes have earned NCAA<br />
postgraduate scholarships:<br />
Baseball<br />
Chris Stallone • <strong>2011</strong><br />
Men’s Basketball<br />
J.P. Andrejko • 1988<br />
Michael Banas • 1984<br />
Joseph Cantafio • 1974<br />
Matt Cusano • 1993<br />
Daniel Polacheck • 1995<br />
Women’s Basketball<br />
Una Espenkotter • 1987<br />
Taryn Mellody • 2007<br />
Men’s Cross Country<br />
Joseph Fent • 2001<br />
John Mercuri • 2007<br />
Golf<br />
Will Carey • 1988<br />
Women’s Lacrosse<br />
Bridget Lee • 2003<br />
Women’s Soccer<br />
Nicole Bayman • 2001<br />
Lori Snyder • 1987<br />
Men’s Tennis<br />
Carl Caceres • <strong>2011</strong>