Support the Black Bears on the Maine Day of Giving!
4/26/2023 5:00:00 AM | General, Alfond Fund
Orono, Maine -- Happy Maine Day of Giving 2023! Please consider making a gift today to support the Black Bears!
Black Bear Athletics takes great pride in the success of our student-athletes not only in the sports in which they compete but, more importantly, in the classroom. We believe in building well-rounded graduates committed to excellence in all areas of their life. Scholarship support is critical to our programs, especially when it comes to funding for summer bridge programs and classes taken out of the normal academic semesters. Due to intense and conflicting season schedules, student-athletes utilize these out-of-term opportunities often to stay on track for their degree, but they come with an additional cost. Our success in the classroom has been something we are all proud of, and the numbers speak for themselves:
For 18 consecutive years over 50% of our student-athletes have been recognized for their success in the classroom at our annual University of Maine Scholar-Athlete Recognition Awards Ceremony. This year an incredible 82% of our student-athletes received awards! Of the 350 students recognized, 250 students were named UMaine Scholar-Athletes for achieving a 3.0 or better GPA for the 2020 calendar year and/or maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA. In addition, 100 first-year athletes were honored as *Rising Stars* for earning a 3.0 or better GPA in their first semester at UMaine. Nearly 5,000 medals have been awarded since 1989.
A total of 109 Student-Athletes graduated in 2021 and 2022, including those anticipated to do so in August and December 2023.
Fifteen of 17 Black Bear teams had a GPA of 3.0 or better for the 2021-22 year and posted a 3.28 department GPA. The year averages for the top 3 women's teams were Basketball (3.74), Soccer (3.64), and Swimming & Diving (3.63). The top 3 men's teams were Cross Country (3.70) Ice Hockey (3.65), and Baseball (3.27).
Thank you for considering a contribution to support our scholarship funds for these impressive student-athletes and future leaders throughout the world!
