As a participant in athletics you are recognized as a STUDENT-ATHLETE, which means that you must be a student before you can become an athlete.  We applaud our student-athletes for understanding that colleges and universities were built for teaching, learning and research – not athletics.  Of the 250 student-athletes in our program, seventy-five percent have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.  Forty percent have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and 20% have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

The Athletic Department salutes Karo Adjekughele of the men's basketball team and Taylor White of the women's basketball team for earning a Grade Point Average (GPA) of a perfect 4.0 as the Fall, 2014, Semester comes to an end.

Adjekughele, a freshman 6-6, 210 lb., forward from New Rochelle, N.Y., hasn't decided upon a major as of this writing.  He is averaging 9.5 minutes of play each game this season.

Taylor White is a 6-2 junior forward/center from LaPlata, Md., who is majoring in Teacher Education.  White is averaging 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds this season for the Lady Panthers.

A total of 21 student-athletes have GPAs of 3.5 or higher, including:

• Jasmine McLaurin     3.9   Volleyball                 Special Education
• Brionna Singleton    3.9   Track               Marketing
• Daniel Siaumau       3.9   Football            Engineering
• Taylor Hamilton      3.8   Softball            Biology
• Karigan Awkward      3.8   Women's Basketball  Biology/Pre-Med
• Anthony Michael      3.8   Tennis/Football     Biology
• Logan Reid           3.8   Tennis              Biology
• Jarvis Bigger        3.7   Track               Computer Information Systems
• Phillip Smith        3.6   Football            Computer Information Systems
• Jeremiah Wallace     3.6   Track               Religious Studies
• Taylor Witherspoon   3.6   Volleyball          Biology
• ShaHadah Barrett     3.6   Women's Basketball  Criminal Justice
• Kareem Burrows       3.6   Tennis              Psychology
• Ellie Parsons        3.6   Volleyball/Tennis   Biology
• Zoe Pascal           3.6   Volleyball          Criminal Justice
• Brinae Robinson      3.6   Track               Computer Information Systems
• Taylor Nelson        3.5   Golf                Math
• Tyleik Freeman       3.5   Football            Criminal Justice
• Makeda Elliott       3.5   Track               Math

Virginia Union Athletics congratulates all of the student-athletes who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the field of play.

Thanks to our faculty and support staff as well as our coaches in your support of our student-athletes.  Again, we applaud all of our student-athletes for your commitment, your time management, your perseverance and your desire to make a difference in your lives and the lives of others.  You have truly embraced "An Informed Mind – Is a Better Mind."

Enjoy your Holiday break and return with a spirit of "Turn It Up."

Sincerely,

The Athletic Department Administrative Staff:  

                Felicia Johnson, Associate Athletic Director /Compliance Director/SWA
                Felicia Jackson, Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director & Business Operations
                Patricia Murray, Faculty Athletic Representative
                Shaquana Veney-Battle, Academic Coordinator for Student Athletes & Transfer Students
                Jerome Furtado, Director of Athletic Facilities & Game-Day Operations
                Jim Junot, Sports Information Director
                Roland Lovelace, Head Athletic Trainer
                Nicole Stevens, Head Outreach Athletic Trainer
                Trumayne Watson, Strength and Conditioning
                Joe Taylor, Athletic Director