LOUDONVILLE, NY – Another year, another academic record set by Siena College student athletes. Despite the disruptions faced by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Saints persevered to establish a new Siena Athletics record for a fourth consecutive year with a total of 223 student athletes earning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll recognition for maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20 or better.
 
"In a very challenging year, it is wonderful to see MAAC Student-Athletes continue to excel in the classroom," said MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. "We at the MAAC would like to congratulate these student-athletes who overcame such rigorous challenges both on and off the field to maintain a commitment to academic excellence."
 
The MAAC also set a new conference record with 2,963 student athletes earning recognition on the league's academic honor roll, with an additional 63 E-Sports students honored as well. To be eligible to be named to the MAAC Academic Honor Roll, a student athlete must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher at the conclusion of the academic year, and must have matriculated at least one full academic year at their current institution. The MAAC Academic Honor Roll recognizes student athletes from all 11 of the conference's full-time members, as well as all 17 associate members, representing all 24 sports in which the league crowns champions.
 
"The pandemic posed unique challenges last year both in the classroom and in competition, but the response by our student athletes to unprecedented adversity revealed the full measure of their resolve," said Siena College President Chris Gibson '86, Ph.D. "Our student athletes affirmed their commitment to their education and to each other by focusing on their schoolwork and persevering through the many disruptions to their routine. The lofty results are reflected on the MAAC Academic Honor Roll and on the championship banners we'll hang."
 
Siena's record 223 MAAC Academic Honor Roll selections marks an increase of 13 from last year's previous benchmark, and 51 more than in 2018-19. The Saints also set another new record once again with 63% of the College's 354 student athletes receiving recognition, marking a 1% increase from 2019-20. Additionally, six Siena College students who compete in E-Sports, which is recognized as an official MAAC club sport, were also named to the MAAC Academic Honor Roll.
 
"We are so pleased with our students who achieved this meritorious academic distinction. Exemplary performance in the classroom is the standard continually set and exceeded by our student athletes," said Siena College Provost Margaret Madden, Ph.D. "Our student athletes are leaders on our campus and in the classroom, and we are so proud of their character and achievements."  
 
The women's lacrosse team – which paces Siena's 21 Division I athletic programs with a 3.61 cumulative team GPA – saw a department-high 30 of its student athletes earn recognition on the MAAC Academic Honor Roll.
 
"We are all extremely proud of the record successes our Saints continue to achieve in the classroom," said Siena College Vice President and Director of Athletics John D'Argenio. "Faced with the challenges of COVID, our Saints marched on and persevered while continuing to raise the bar academically. Kudos to our student athletes and our S.A.IN.T.S. Office for helping us build better Saints."
 
Siena student athletes also set another new record by achieving a 3.34 cumulative department GPA through the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year, which was four points higher than the previous record set last year, and 12 points higher than in 2018-19. The athletic department's 3.34 GPA was six points higher than the overall Siena College average, and seven points better than the non-student athlete mark.
 
"This record breaking year academically proves just how dedicated our student athletes are to their academic success," said S.A.IN.T.S. Advisor Sarah Sivertson. "They continued to persevere through the challenges of the past year, and I look forward to seeing what they will accomplish next."
 
To cap it off, a total of 48 Saints – the second highest total in department history – were named to the department's "4.0 Club" for achieving an unblemished 4.0 GPA during either the Fall 2020 and/or Spring 2021 semester. Fourteen of those student athletes boasted a perfect 4.0 GPA both terms.