The SUNY Morrisville Athletics Department held its inaugural – albeit, virtual – induction for Chi Alpha Sigma, Alpha Lambda Chapter National Collegiate Athlete Honor Society, welcoming 23 student-athletes as the spring 2020 induction class.
Chi Alpha Sigma is the first and only nonprofit organization created to recognize college student-athletes who excel both on and off the field of competition; those establishing the first class of the Alpha Lambda Chapter at SUNY Morrisville included
Leah Gamlen of Cazenovia, field hockey; Benjamin Seale of Chittenango, men’s cross-country; and Lydia Young of Cuyler, women’s soccer.
Founded in 1996 by then-DePauw University head football coach, Nick Mourouzis, Chi Alpha Sigma recognizes college student-athletes who receive a varsity letter in their sport, achieve junior academic standing or higher after their fifth full-time semester and earn a 3.4 or higher cumulative grade point average. Student-athletes who compete for a collegiate club team are also eligible if the club team is overseen by the athletics department at the local chapter.
The Alpha Lamba Chapter was established at SUNY Morrisville in 2019. Selection for membership is by an athletic department designee in consultation with the individual’s head coach and is based on outstanding scholarship, earned athletic letter winner and excellent character and citizenship.
During the virtual ceremony, the academic accomplishments of 23 student-athletes who met the high standards of Chi Alpha Sigma were recognized.
In an address presented to the inductees by Al Muss, professor within the School of Agriculture, Business and Technology and faculty athletic representative to athletics, he acknowledged the balance student-athletes have in their roles as competitors and students.
“This balance requires sacrifice,” Muss said. “Today’s induction recognizes all those sacrifices. Today, we honor these sacrifices and recognize the success of our student-athletes as students of the highest caliber and athletes of great commitment, character and ability.”
The complete virtual ceremony can be viewed here.