Each week, the McNamara Academic Center for Student-Athletes (MAC) will recognize one University of Minnesota student-athlete for his or her academic achievements. The winner of the McNamara Student-Athlete of the Week for the week ending November 16th is Jamal Abu-Shamala from the men’s basketball team.

Coach Tubby Smith believes that Jamal is deserving of the recognition.

Each week, the McNamara Academic Center for Student-Athletes (MAC) will recognize one University of Minnesota student-athlete for his or her academic achievements. The winner of the McNamara Student-Athlete of the Week for the week ending November 9th is Sarah Krueger from the rowing team.

Coach Wendy Davis has noticed how quickly academics have become a priority in Krueger’s college career.

Each week, the McNamara Academic Center for Student-Athletes (MAC) will recognize one University of Minnesota student-athlete for his or her academic achievements. The winner of the McNamara Student-Athlete of the Week for the week ending November 2nd and the very first honoree is Ruby Radocaj of the women’s track and field team.

Coach Lynn Anderson is proud of Ruby’s courage and the endeavor she has shown to reach her goal of graduating in four years.

Roughly 2,000 people, student-athletes from nearly every sport, staff and families of children with cancer gathered on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The event lasted for four hours, highlighted by the Gopher student-athletes playing with HopeKids members and their families. Games included several blow up “bouncy” games, a rock climbing wall, carnival games, a hockey shoot out, basketball and gymnastics camps and face painting. Prior to the event the student-athletes were addressed by Athletics Director Joel Maturi as a welcome to the new school year. Organized

On Monday, June 11th members of the Men’s Basketball program Saul Smith (Assistant Coach), Ryan Saunders, and John Williams visited Tuttle Elementary to speak to local eighth graders. They served as speakers at the eighth grade graduation, encouraging students to pursue higher education and make smart life choices.

On Saturday, June 9th Diedre DeWall (Women’s Swimming), Laura Massey (Women’s Track), Erin Holtmeyer (Women’s Swimming), Matt Engel (Men’s Swimming), Tim Loeffler (Men’s Swimming), Katie Budahl (Women’s Swimming), Christin Kingsley (Women’s Track), Danielle Ridder (Women’s Swimming), Christine Jennings (Women’s Swimming), Andrea Shamp (Women’s Track), Dagney Willey (Women’s Track), Whit Graft (Women’s Hockey), and Tyler Schmidt (Men’s Swimming) volunteered with the Hopekids “Ultimate Video Game Day.” Athletes ventured out to Midwest Home Media to spend time interacting and playing video games with children who have cancer and other terminal illnesses.

On Thursday, June 7th Ben Kampf (Men’s Track), Ariella DePrenger-Gottfried (Women’s Track and Cross Country), Laura Massey (Women’s Track), Tim Loeffler (Men’s Swimming), Dagney Willey (Women’s Hockey), and Jamie Cheever (Women’s Track/Cross Country) gave up their mornings to speak to local kids about tobacco use. As part of the Life Skills “Tobacco Free” Program, these athletes visited Olson Elementary School to help teach young children about the dangers of nicotine and tobacco use.

On Wednesday, June 6th Dagney Willey (Women’s Hockey), Ariella DePrenger-Gottfried (Women’s Track and Cross Country), Diedre DeWall (Women’s Swimming), Christin Kingsley (Women’s Track), Luke Silovich (Men’s Track), Megan McClanahan (Rowing), Gabe Anderson (Women’s Track), and Jamie Cheever (Women’s Track) spent the morning reading to children at Cottage Grove Elementary. These University of Minnesota athletes spent the morning reading to school children in an effort to help improve literacy and reading habits of local school children.

On Monday, June 4th Willie Dyson and Daron Love of the Gopher football team made an hour long presentation to children at a local catholic school. Visiting Blessed Trinity, these two football players stressed the importance of education, goal setting, and college life.

On Friday, June 1st Ariella DePrenger-Gottfried (Women’s Track and Cross Country), Ladia Albertson-Junkas (Women’s Track and Cross Country), Willie Dyson (Football), Ali Fisher (Rowing), Laura Massey (Women’s Track), Christine Kingsley (Women’s Track), and Shanna Bodilly (Women’s Track) volunteered for two hour shifts at Fair Oaks Elementary’s Super Kids Day. Athletes served as supervisors and officials for various events and games such as balloon toss and obstacle courses.