Dover (May 28, 2008) --- Delaware State University's Jessica Chrabaszcz has been selected to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Softball First Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Chrabaszcz, one of four infielders on the nationwide 11-member University Division First Team, is the first DSU student-athlete to earn the distinction and is the lone Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference representative on the 2008 list.
“I am grateful to my family, Delaware State University, my professors, coaches and teammates for helping me to achieve this tremendous honor,” Chrabaszcz said. “I came to Delaware State to earn a degree and have an enjoyable softball experience, and I'm happy that I was able to achieve those goals.”
Chrabaszcz, who received a bachelor's in economics earlier this month, is one of three 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team selections to achieve a 4.0 grade-point-average, joining outfielder Lillian Hammond of Tennessee and infielder Colleen McGlaughlin of Iowa. Pitcher Angela Tincher of Virginia Tech (3.84) was selected as the Academic All-America of the Year.
All-America selections must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale), have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings and be nominated by her sports information department. Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes.
Chrabaszcz, a 2008 All-MEAC First Team selection, helped lead Delaware State to its first MEAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance this season. She was second on the Hornets with a .352 batting average and led the league with 18 doubles during the regular season, tying for 14th among all NCAA Division I players in two-baggers this season (0.34 pg).
Her academic honors also include Delaware State University Presidential Academic Excellence Award for 4.0 scholars, DSU College of Business Valedictorian, Chi Alpha Sigma National Athlete Honor Society and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Commissioner's All-Academic Team.
Chrabaszcz will begin a year-long internship in the NCAA Eligibility Center in Indianapolis, Ind. next month. In 2006, she was the first DSU student-athlete to attend the NCAA Leadership Conference.
Delaware State's Samantha Snow was a 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Third Team selection. In addition to Chrabaszcz and Snow, Delaware State has produced several ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America District II selections; most recently football players Peter Gaertner and Nick Richmond last fall.
