MORRISVILLE, NY—Two Morrisville State College students are recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s 2014-2015 Scholar Athlete Award, which recognizes outstanding academic excellence and athletic achievement.
Receiving the award are:
- Dylan Lyons, of Camillus, a criminal justice major and member of the men’s lacrosse team
- Alan Peckham, of Webster, a criminal justice major and member of the men’s soccer team
Lyons was a captain for the men's lacrosse program and earned second team all-conference, helping lead his team to its first NCAA appearance.
“Dylan is well deserving of this award as he was a role model both academically and athletically throughout the campus community and within the men's lacrosse program,” said Mustang head lacrosse coach Jason Longo. “We are extremely proud of his accomplishments here at Morrisville and wish him the best of luck with his endeavors.”
Peckham has a host of accomplishments in his first two years as a Mustang. In 2013 he was named North Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year for men’s soccer and earned second team all-conference. His accomplishments this past season include being named ECAC Division III Upstate First Team All-Star, National Soccer Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic Region All Region First Team, and NEAC First Team All-Conference.
Peckham’s contributions were instrumental in leading last year’s squad to a conference championship and a second round appearance in the NCAA Championships where they lost to defending national champions Messiah College 1-0.
“As a sophomore, Alan has proven himself as one of the top players in our region,” said Morrisville State head soccer coach Kyle Graves. “His contributions on the field and his leadership and academic excellence off of the field are invaluable to our program and our coaching staff couldn’t be more proud of this recognition. Alan strives for excellence in all that he does and we all know he has a bright future ahead of him.”
“The SUNY scholar athletes are some of our most exemplary students, having achieved the highest levels of success not only in class but in their respective sports,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “Congratulations to each of the students recognized for these achievements over the past year, and thank you to the many professors, coaches, and staff across SUNY who support them."
In order to be considered for this award, student-athletes were nominated by their campus athletic director. Nominees’ academic credentials and athletic accomplishments were then reviewed by a panel of athletic directors from across the SUNY system and members of the provost’s office.
Morrisville State’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
In addition to being named to the 2014 President’s Higher Community Education Service Honor Roll, the college was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an institution in the top tier of the Best Regional Colleges list and ranked second among regional colleges nationwide for outperforming its anticipated graduation rate.