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Clarks Summit Wins 2023-24 Institutional Academic Excellence Award

LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East is proud to announce Clarks Summit University as the recipient of the 2023-24 United East Institutional Academic Excellence Award.

Clarks Summit earned the honor for the 2023-24 academic year with an athletic department grade point average (GPA) of 3.43.  The United East Institutional Academic Award is given annually to the institution whose student-athletes, while competing in United East-sponsored sports, achieve the highest grade point average for that academic year.

“I am so proud of our athletes! Collaboration of students, coaches, and faculty to achieve excellence in academics while still encouraging serious pursuit of athletics is hard work all around," said James Lytle, President of Clarks Summit University.  "I’m grateful for the teamwork that allows our athletes to get as much out of their college  experience as possible. It’s great preparation for life after college.”

This is the second time in school history that Clarks Summit has won the award.  The Defenders previously won during the 2012-13 academic year when they were known as Baptist Bible College.  This year’s 3.43 GPA exceeds the 2012-13 academic year when Baptist Bible posted a 3.264 GPA.

Sixteen out of the seventeen United East schools recorded a GPA of 3.00 or higher during the 2023-24 academic year, including nine institutions that achieved a 3.20 or higher.

For the 2023-24 academic year 81 Clarks Summit student-athletes were named to the United East All-Academic Team, achieved by earning a grade point average of 3.20 or higher during the current academic year.  There were 33 on the Fall All-Academic Team and 48 individuals on the Winter/Spring All-Academic Team.  Additionally, seven out of the twelve sponsored sports on campus were awarded United East Team Academic awards, which are awarded to programs with a 3.25 GPA or higher (men’s cross country, women’s cross country, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s golf, and men’s tennis).

“This is a testament to our institution’s commitment to our students and their education,” said Mike Show, Director of Athletics.  “Our faculty, faculty athletic representatives, professors, and staff all work together to support our student-athletes.  We put programs in place and people support them, our coaches support them, and our students are reflecting that in the classroom.”
 

The Institutional Academic Excellence Award was previously awarded within the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) from 2008-2023.  When the CSAC merged with the United East on July 1, 2023, this award was retained and will be awarded moving forward. Previous winners are listed below:

2022-23: Cedar Crest College
2021-22: Cedar Crest College
2020-21: Cedar Crest College
2019-20: Was not awarded due to COVID-19 outbreak
2018-19: Cedar Crest College
2017-18: Immaculata University
2016-17: Cairn University
2015-16: Marywood University
2014-15: Marywood University
2013-14: Immaculata University
2012-13: Baptist Bible College
2011-12: Immaculata University
2010-11: Cairn University
2009-10: Cedar Crest College
2008-09: Cedar Crest College
 

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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.