Barry's Cammarota Wins Elite 90™ Award for D2 Men's Soccer, Team Earns GPA Award
Cammarota becomes the fifth winner for the Bucs, 22nd for the SSC
By: Dennis Jezek | Barry University Sports information
PITTSBURGH, Pa.- Stefano Cammarota, a junior defender at Barry University, is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2018 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship. Barry was also presented with the team GPA award during the festival, which goes out to the men's soccer team with the highest GPA.
"People only hear the second word in student-athlete," Bucs head coach Steve McCrath said. "I was surprised to win the team award, but we always have high expectations for our players academically year after year." In regards to Cammarota winning the Elite 90 award, McCrath is happy to see the Italy native receive credit he believes he deserves. "Stefano always receives compliments from our deans within the business school," McCrath said. "They see something in him from an academic point of view, so to be able to see the look on his face when they called his name, that was priceless for me."
The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.
Cammarota, majoring in management, currently carries a 3.92 GPA. He was presented with the award during the NCAA Division II Sports Festival Opening Ceremonies on Tuesday evening in Pittsburgh. "I was really surprised," Cammarota said. "I didn't expect that. To achieve this kind of award you have to be at the top as both a student and as a team out on the field. I would not have won this award without my team, because if we don't make it this far, I would not have been able to earn this award," Cammarota said.
Cammarota was named to the First-Team Academic All-South Region Team by CoSIDA. He becomes the fifth winner for the Buccaneers and 22nd from the SSC. Daniel Stapff (men's golf) won in 2010 and 2012. Renato Lombardi (men's tennis) won in 2014, and Linda Fritschken (women's tennis) took home the award in 2015.
Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and a designated member of the squad size at the championship. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.
For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite-90.
FULL LISTING: SSC Elite 90 WInners