While many of Case Western Reserve University’s athletic teams haven’t competed since May, several athletes have still somehow managed to collect hardware this past summer. Depending on the sport and the awarding organization, collegiate athletes are eligible for a variety of academic awards at the end of their season or the academic year. At both the individual and team levels, CWRU athletes were widely recognized. 

One of the key bodies that awards students’ academic and athletic achievements is the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), an over 60-year-old, 3,200-plus member collegiate sports media organization affiliated with the NCAA. Several CWRU students were given one of CoSIDA’s highest honors: their Academic All-American distinction. Recent graduate Madeleine Paolucci became CWRU’s first women’s tennis player to be awarded this honor. On the men’s side, another tennis player, Matthew Chen, also received the Academic All-American nomination.

In addition to Paolucci and Chen, Anika Washburn (women’s soccer), Karley King (volleyball), Dee Gose (football), Travis Johnston (football), Andrew Lease (football), Zach Hall (football), Ilissa Hamilton (softball), Sarah Miller (softball) and Antonio Ionadi (men’s basketball) are all also Spartan athletes who were named Academic All-Americans based on their performances on the field and inside the classroom. Several other CWRU athletes also made CoSIDA All-District Teams.

Outside of these stellar individuals, several CWRU teams also received academic distinctions. The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America recognized both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams with Scholar All-America Teams honors. In that same vein, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association granted both the men’s and women’s tennis teams All-Academic Team honors. The United States Marine Corps and the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award went to CWRU’s volleyball team. 

Additionally, the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association granted CWRU’s track and field teams Academic Honors. Lastly, the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ 2020-21 Team Academic Excellence Award went to the men’s basketball team.