Athletics & Recreation

INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA has awarded Georgian Court University softball All-American Heather Walker with a $7,500 postgraduate scholarship, one of only 58 total postgraduate spring- sport scholarships awarded nationwide. The NCAA distributed scholarships to 29 male student-athletes and 29 female student-athletes who participated in spring sports, which included men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, women’s lacrosse, women’s rowing, baseball, and softball.

NEW HAVEN, CT – Heather Walker of Georgian Court University is the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference’s (CACC) nominee for the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year Award, it was announced today by Commissioner Dan Mara. The NCAA Woman of the Year Award honors senior student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership. Walker played both volleyball and softball for the Lions and she received numerous accolades for her athletic, academic and leadership achievements.

The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) announced its 2008 Division II Softball All-Star team today. Lions' ace Samantha Sasko (Groveville, NJ) was named ECAC Pitcher of the Year and earned a spot on the ECAC First-Team while senior catcher Heather Walker (Hanover, ONT) also garnered a place on the First-Team roster.

The NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award Committee has selected recipients for the 2008-09 awards. From a pool of 182 applications, the committee awarded 86 applicants from 63 different Division II institutions, including GCU's Diana Rubio (Secaucus, NJ). The committee also selected 10 alternates.

Their collegiate careers have ended and they have diplomas in hand, but the kudos continue for the Class of 2008. The CACC announced its Spring All-Academic Team this afternoon, which included Georgian Court University softball seniors Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester), Nicole Fortino (Brick, NJ/Brick Township), Julie Sito (Elyria, OH), and Heather Walker (Hanover, ONT). In fact, this is the third time on this elite list for each of these student-athletes.

On your mark, get set, GO! Georgian Court University announced that Track & Field has been added to the GCU athletics program, making it the eighth women's NCAA Division II athletics offering on campus (basketball, cross-country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball). The team will begin competition in spring, 2009.  

NEW HAVEN, CT (May 22, 2008) – Georgian Court University has earned the 2007-08 Alfred R. Restaino, Sr. Cup in recognition of having the most successful women's athletic program in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) this year. Georgian Court, which won two CACC Tournament titles this season, also claimed the award last year. The Lions (10.80) edged out Holy Family University for the honor (10.625).

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has ranked the Georgian Court University softball squad 25th in its final Top-25 national poll of the 2008 season. GCU enjoyed another stellar campaign, which included a trip to the CACC tournament finals and a spot in the NCAA Division II Softball Championship Northeast Regional for the second straight season.

Allyson Buckley (soccer) and Ta-Shee Harden (basketball) will represent Georgian Court University next week (May 25th-29th) as they and 698 other student-athletes attend the 2008 NCAA National Student-Athlete Development Conference, which will be held at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

What a way to cap a career! Heather Walker, senior catcher for the Georgian Court University softball team, has become the first ever GCU student-athlete to achieve First Team, All-American status at the Division II level, earning a spot on the 2008 Louisville Slugger/NFCA roster this afternoon.

Congratulations to junior Volleyball player, Angie Casado, GCU's 2008 Athlete of the Year. The award was announced on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at the annual Athletics Awards Banquet at  Eagle Ridge Country Club in Lakewood, NJ. Also honored was senior Heather Walker (softball/volleyball), the 2008 recipient of the annual Presidential Award.