December 11, 2009

Rutgers Football Earns AFCA Academic Honor

Scarlet Knights One of the Nation’s Best Programs Academically

• Posted on 12/11/2009 8:49:56 AM

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (December 11, 2009) — The Rutgers football program is one of 41 schools to earn the 2009 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Academic Achievement Honorable Mention Award. The 2009 award reflects the academic success of the class that entered in the Fall of 2002.

This year’s award marks the second time the NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) formula has been used to select the winner. From 1981 to 2007, the award was presented based on a formula used by the College Football Association and AFCA.

The Academic Achievement Award was established by the College Football Association in 1981. The award recognized the CFA-member Football Bowl Subdivision institution with the highest graduation rate among members of its football team. When the CFA disbanded in 1997, the AFCA stepped in to present the award and conduct a graduation rate survey that encompassed all members of the FBS.

The GSR is based on a six-year graduation window for student-athletes which is a change from the five-year window used by the CFA and AFCA. The GSR was developed by the NCAA as part of its academic reform initiative to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes. The GSR holds institutions accountable for transfer students, unlike the federal graduation rate. The GSR also accounts for mid-year enrollees.

Under GSR calculation, institutions are not penalized for outgoing transfer students who leave in good academic standing. These outgoing transfers are passed to the receiving institution’s GSR cohort. By counting incoming transfer students and midyear enrollees, the GSR increases the total number of student-athletes tracked for graduation by more than 37 percent. The NCAA also calculates the federal graduation rate for student-athletes because it is the only rate by which to compare student-athletes to the general student body.

Rutgers closes out the 2009 season Saturday, December 19 in the St. Petersburg Bowl vs. UCF. The Scarlet Knights look to win their fourth straight bowl as Rutgers plays in its fifth consecutive bowl for the first time in school history. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. with live television coverage on ESPN.

To order tickets to the St. Petersburg Bowl, please visit scarletknights.com or call the Rutgers Ticket Office at 1-866-445-GORU. Fans can also purchase tickets in-person at the Rutgers Ticket Office, located in the Rutgers Athletic Center, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bulldogs Snap Losing Skid with 90-89 Win over Gwynedd-Mercy in OT Thriller

Senior Caitlin Miller had a career-high 24 points in the OT win over Gwynedd-Mercy College on Thursday.

BJ Spigelmyer – DeSales SID

12/11/2009 12:03:32 AM

BOX SCORE
Gwynedd Valley, PA (December 10, 2009) – It wasn’t easy but the DeSales University women’s basketball team got the job done, snapping its four-game losing skid with a 90-89 win over Gwynedd-Mercy College in an overtime thriller in non-conference action on Thursday evening at the Griffin Complex.
The Bulldogs (4-4 overall) showed tremendous heart and desire as well as a refuse to lose attitude in the second half and overtime to get back into the win column. After struggling to shoot the ball once again in the first half (25.6 percent), the Bulldogs torched the nets over the final 25 minutes, shooting 53.7 percent in the second half and overtime. DSU also took excellent care of the ball, committing just seven turnovers over the final 25 minutes, after throwing the ball away 17 times in the first half. DeSales also won the battle on the boards, holding a 47-39 advantage, and forced the Griffins (5-2 overall) into 30 turnovers for the game.
DeSales seemed destined for a win in regulation holding a

Students in grades 4 through 7 are invited to learn about New Jersey\’s native fish by participating in the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife\’s 2010 Native Fish Art and Writing Contest. 

The purpose of this annual contest is to encourage children to learn about New Jersey\’s native fish species and their biological requirements, including the habitats they need to survive. Participants must write an original short story about a year in the life of a native New Jersey fish of their choice and draw a scene from their story.

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The story must include accurate biological and ecological information about the fish, such as its habitat needs, food preferences, and behavioral characteristics. The drawing must have a finished size of 8.5 x 11 inches and can be done in acrylics, pencils, watercolors, oil, oil pastels, crayons or ink. Creativity and originality in both the story and artwork will weigh heavily with judges, as will the use of proper grammar, sentence structure and spelling. 

First and second place winners from each grade level will receive a fishing rod and reel and a certificate. First place winners will also receive a youth membership in Trout Unlimited. All winners will be invited to the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center on the Opening Day of Trout Season, April 10, 2010 for a special luncheon, awards ceremony and the opportunity to fish for trout in the Pequest Fishing Education Pond. 

Entries for the contest must be received no later than Friday, March 5, 2010.
Sponsorship for the Native Fish Art and Writing Contest is provided by NJ Chapters of Trout Unlimited.
For more information, see http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/fishart.htm .

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