UConn Honored By NCAS For Degree Completion Program

STORRS, Conn. (March 6, 2006) --- The University of Connecticut is one of 40 schools that has been named to the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) 2004-05 “Honor Roll” for its efforts in assisting former student-athletes earn their college degree.

The NCAS sponsors the Degree Completion and Community Service Program for former student-athletes whose athletic eligibility has been exhausted, but require additional academic credits in order to graduate. Those student-athletes receive tuition money from their institution and participate in various community or university service programs in exchange.

“The University of Connecticut strongly values its participation in the NCAS Degree Completion Programs,” says Jeffrey A. Hathaway, UConn’s Director of Athletics. “The primary mission of UConn’s Division of Athletics is for our student-athletes to earn their undergraduate degree. The NCAS program is a great asset to helping achieve that goal and we are very pleased to be recognized by NCAS for this important educational initiative. This underscores our ongoing commitment to graduation for our student-athletes, both past and present.”

A total of 12 former Husky student-athletes received their undergraduate degree in 2004-05 thanks in part to the commitment of the UConn and the NCAS program. They were: Michael James and Mike Mocerino of baseball, Rashamel Jones and Shamon Tooles of men’s basketball, Maria Conlon, Diana Taurasi and Morgan Valley of women’s basketball, Ed Long and Chandler Poole of football, Michael Saunders of men’s soccer, Paul Pisano of men’s track and field and Jennifer Barcellona of women’s track and field.

The National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS), housed at University of Central Florida, is an organization of colleges, universities and individuals. The mission of the NCAS is to create a better society by focusing on educational attainment and using the power and appeal of sport to positively affect social change.