BOSTON – The America East Conference announced Friday morning that the University of Vermont's student-athletes secured the athletic department's record 10th Walter Harrison Academic Cup. The Walter Harrison Academic Cup is presented each season by the conference to the institution with the best cumulative GPA among its student-athletes competing in league sports. Vermont earned the 2023-24 honor with a cumulative GPA of 3.50.
RELATED LINKS
America East Release
Vermont had seven different programs earn at least a 3.50 GPA, led by women's swimming and diving (3.71) and women's soccer (3.70). The Catamounts were one of four America East programs where all of their sponsored sports earned at least a 3.0 GPA. Vermont Men's Track & Field (3.48 GPA) and Women's Track & Field (3.63 GPA) were the top performing America East programs in their sport.
The Academic Cup, established by the America East Board of Directors in 1995, is presented to the institution whose student-athletes post the highest grade-point average during that academic year. The award was named for long time University of Hartford President, Walter Harrison, in 2017. America East student-athletes averaged a 3.40 GPA overall in 2023-24, the second-highest in conference history. It's the 19th consecutive year America East student-athletes have averaged better than a 3.0 GPA.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Jeff Schulman, Director of Athletics
"I couldn't be prouder of our coaches, staff, and most especially, of our remarkable student-athletes who have once again proven that competitive and academic excellence are fully aligned here at Vermont. Special recognition goes out to Cathy Rahill, Namik Sevlic, and Jess Cassotis who go above and beyond in supporting are student-athletes' academic success, and to our amazing faculty and campus partners who under the leadership of President Garimella and Provost Prelock have created an academic community that fosters success across the entire student body."
Cathy Osmers Rahill, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Academic Affairs SWA
"This prestigious honor highlights our student-athletes' ability to achieve excellence while balancing rigorous academic schedules and athletic commitments. Our coaching staffs work extremely hard in supporting a well-balanced student-athlete experience. Associate Director of Academic Services Namik Sevlic and Assistant Director of Academic Services Jessica Cassotis work tirelessly on the ground daily helping student-athletes realize their full potentials."
