Missouri State University

SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State University hosted its inaugural Maroon and White Honors Banquet and Scholar-Athlete Awards ceremony on Sunday, April 3 at JQH Arena.

In all, 147 student-athletes were recognized for achieving at minimum 3.25 cumulative grade-point average for all semesters at Missouri State. The honorees represent nearly 40 percent of the 378 total student-athletes currently participating in MSU's 16 intercollegiate programs. The event was sponsored by the Bank of Missouri.

Bryan Hicks, Associate Athletics Director, began the ceremony by welcoming the student-athletes and acknowledging professors, faculty and academic mentors in attendance for their hard work and dedication to Missouri State's student-athletes.

Following opening remarks, Director of Athletics, Kyle Moats was introduced and thanked the faculty mentors, student-athletes, coaches, and administrators for their contribution to academic success of student-athletes. He emphasized the importance of student-athlete and faculty interactions.

MSU Provost Dr. Belinda McCarthy was next on the program. She applauded the student-athletes for their superlative academic success. "Forty percent of our student-athletes achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better:  That is outstanding," McCarthy said.

The student-athletes in attendance then introduced themselves, along with their sport, major and the faculty mentor they invited to the event.

The final honor of the night, The Highest Team GPA, was awarded to the Missouri State women's cross country squad which compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.67 over the last year.

The complete list of honorees by sport is as follows: