By Michael L. Damon
Flushing, N.Y.— Four John Jay student-athletes, including men’s soccer player,
Daniel Munoz (Pereira, Colombia, East Hampton), men’s tennis player
Michael Sohm (Stone Ridge, NY, Rondout Valley), women’s softball player
Olivia Marquez (Paso Robles, CA, Templeton) and women’s basketball player
Tina Ogunleye (Islandia, NY, Central Islip) were recognized by the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC)on Wednesday evening as the four were recognized as honorable mentions at CUNYAC’s annual
Michael Steuerman CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete Award Dinner at the Queens College Student Union.
Many scholar athletes, coaches and administrators from CUNY’s 10 senior colleges and five community colleges were on hand to celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of more than 50 student-athletes with in CUNY system.
“It is really great to receive recognition for being a successful student-athlete,” said Munoz, a Colombia native who has been a three year member of the men’s soccer team as well as a Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) member. “It has not always been easy, English is not my first language, but no matter what you do in life in order to succeed you have to overcome some obstacles and this is just one of them.”
Each scholar-athlete was rewarded with an IPod shuffle as well as glass trophy.
“Feels good to be recognized,” said Marquez, a Paso Robales, Calif. native who returned to college after graduating with an associate’s degree several years ago. “I’m a more serious student now compared to several years ago, but in many ways school is harder now since I have to balance so many more responsibilities as I try to support myself.”
The CUNYAC Michael Steuerman Scholar Athlete Awards honor two male and two female graduating seniors from each CUNY institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.2.