Five UB student-athletes were among 83 recipients of 2013-14 SUNY Scholar Athlete Awards recognizing outstanding academic excellence and athletic achievement.

UB recipients are Zackary Ahart, men’s cross country; Michael Dugan, men’s swimming and diving; Damien David, men’s tennis; Evan Palmer, men’s track; and Kristen Sharkey, women’s basketball

“SUNY scholar athletes are stand-out students who have excelled not only in their respective sports, but in our classrooms as well,” SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said in announcing the award winners. “With an average GPA of 3.55 among this year’s honorees, we are exceptionally proud of their achievements. Congratulations to each of the students recognized, and thank you to the many professors, coaches and staff across SUNY who support them."

In order to be considered for this award, student-athletes were nominated by their campus’s athletic directors. Nominees’ academic credentials and athletic accomplishments were reviewed by a panel of athletic directors from across the SUNY system and members of the provost’s office.