ORLANDO, Fla. - The Scholar-Baller® Proram, in conjuction with the National Corsortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) has announced the winners of the Academic Momentum Award and Lesley University men's basketball student-athlete Matt Grassa is one of just twenty student-athletes to earn this tremendous honor.  He was presented to award prior to his game against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Academic Momentum Award identifies twenty student-athletes, which includes a male and female winner from each of ten NCAS regions encompassing all divisions of collegiate athletics, who have demonstrated two distinct qualities.  First, the recognized student-athlete must have shown a significant academic improvement throughout their collegiate careers and secondly, continued to excel on the field as well as in the classroom.

Matt Grassa's journey through his first two years at Lesley University has made him more than qualified as a recipient of this award.  After joining the Lesley community the first semester of his freshman year, Matt was focused solely on basketball and found himself squeaking by in the classroom with minimal work.  He soon learned, with the help of Student-Athlete Academic Services, that he had to improve his game in the classroom to be able to compete on the court. 

Basketball, however, was not the only driving force behind Matt's academic resurrection.  Matt's family stood by his side in loving support and motivated him to do everything within his power to improve his academics.

With the support of his family and his own determination to make the grade, Matt worked tirelessly as he achieved A's and B's in all of his courses in the spring semester.  The following fall semester of his sophomore year, Matt continued his quest for an academic and athletic balance with a 3.25 GPA. 

His academic turnaround and dedication to the Lynx basketball team earned him a spot in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee executive board and a trip to the NCAA Division III Regional Leadership Conference.  While at this leadership conference, Matt learned about a tremendous opportunity to make an impact in the community with the "Triple Threat 2008", whose sole purpose was to unite Lesley University and the surrounding community through the game of basketball. 

Matt then donated his time voluntarily as a mentor to first year students, helping them adjust to the life of a scholar-athlete, all while maintaining a solid GPA with a course load of 18 credits.  Matt was even a summer Orientation Leader for incoming students, a position he earned after a competitive application and interview process. 

The Director of Student-Athlete Support Services, Christy Belisle, commented on Matt earning the Academic Momentum Award, "This award could not have gone to a more deserving student-athlete and young man.  He is hard-working and enthusiastic.  He has embraced the opportunity to become a leader on the court and in the classroom.  This is a game changer in life for Matt.  He may not realize it yet, but he has reset his bar.  He is truly inspirational."

There is no doubt that Matt will continue his path towards obtaining a Lesley degree with high academic standing, all while competing on the men's basketball team and the university is truly blessed to experience his contributions on a daily basis. 

To learn more about Matt Grassa and the rest of the Lesley University men's basketball team, please visit their website.

Contact:          Rob Palardy
                        Sports Information Director
                        Lesley University
                        617.349.8627 (office)
                        617.349.8640 (fax)
                        rpalardy@lesley.edu