May 4, 2010 8:44:34 AM

Ties are common in sports, but not in academics. For the first time in Carnegie Mellon University history, three male student-athletes will share the William Brown Academic Athletic Achievement Award presented annually to the male and female student-athletes who have earned the highest grade-point averages while participating in intercollegiate athletics.

This year, three male student-athletes will graduate with 4.0 GPAs after excelling in their sports for the past four seasons. Soccer players Austin Good and Jon Hall both achieved 4.0s in the classroom while anchoring a defensive unit that led the Tartans to the third round of the NCAA tournament last fall. Jason Huber also has a 4.0 GPA while leading the men's swimming and diving program to a second-place finish in the University Athletic Association.

There were no ties on the women's side, as track and field standout Diane Mattingly – the school-record holder at the 400- and 800-meter distances – was the lone female recipient.

Bison, Barack and the Bronx Bombers: The Gallaudet University baseball team had a front-row seat to history on April 26 as the Bison were special guests of President Obama to attend a ceremony recognizing the New York Yankees' 2009 World Series title.

The Bison baseball players filled the first three reserved rows in front of the President's podium and were in prime position when the president, Vice President Joe Biden and members of the Yankees entered the East Room of the White House.

The ceremony was extra special for Gallaudet baseball coach Curtis Pride, who played for the Yankees in 2003.

"It was an exciting day for the Gallaudet University baseball program and an honor for us to be invited as part of this ceremony," he said. "It was especially great to see old friends from the Yankees organization."

Jeremy Shepps, two-time team captain for the Bison, called it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"I was just speechless and very excited," he said. "This was one of the richest experiences of my life."

Diamond engagement: The City of Orange and the Chapman University softball team hosted a re-opening ceremony of El Camino Real Park on May 1 to unveil the newly renovated park and softball complex. After the ceremony, Chapman played its final games of the season with a doubleheader against the University of Dallas.

The refurbished facility features four fastpitch softball diamonds. In December, the Orange City Council approved a lease agreement with Chapman for primary use of the "premiere" diamond, which includes permanent fencing, batting cages, bullpens and a scoreboard.

This was Chapman's first season at El Camino after having used Hart Park as its home field since 1983. It was there that the Panthers hosted and won four Division III West Region championships in 1998-2000 and 2004.

If you rebuild it…: The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee partnered with Rebuilding Together-Twin Cities on April 24 as 22 student-athletes helped in a home renovation project in North Minneapolis.

The student-athletes installed drywall and did a variety of home-repair projects at the site. Their effort helped remodel the entire home and make it wheelchair accessible for the elderly homeowner. 

The combination of community outreach and learning some new skills made the day special for Hamline volleyball student-athlete Alex Anderson. "This was a great experience, especially giving back to the community, because I feel so fortunate as a student-athlete. It feels good to give back to people less fortunate," she said.

MIAC Assistant Director and event organizer Brittany Feser was impressed with how the student-athletes jumped right in, worked hard, and took initiative, even when most had never done this type of work before. 

"They all learned very quickly, and the work ethic that makes them great students and athletes was evident," Feser said.

Calling all potential members: The Commonwealth Coast Conference, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, is accepting applications for membership, effective for the 2011-12 academic year. The conference offers automatic qualification opportunities in 12 sports, including baseball, men's and women's basketball, field hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, and women's volleyball.

TCCC provides each student-athlete with a positive experience in their pursuit of excellence, through high academic standards, quality competition, and a meaningful student life and fully supports the NCAA Division III philosophy. 

Interested parties should submit a written statement of interest by May 15 to Gregg M. Kaye, TCCC Commissioner, by either e-mail (gkaye@wnec.edu) or by fax to 413-796-2338. Questions can also be directed to Commissioner Kaye by either e-mail or by calling 413-796-2329.

Surprise slam: Monmouth (Illinois) baseball coach Roger Sander didn't know that Chaz Baggio's grand slam against Robert Morris-Springfield last week assured the 17-year coaching veteran a milestone. The 12-3 win in Springfield on April 28 was Sander's 300th career victory. That fact was lost on the coach, but not the team.

"I didn't realize it was No. 300," said Sander. "The team knew it. They gave me the game ball and congratulated me on the first 300. They said let's start on another 300. That was nice. But my only goal this season – as it is every season – is to win the Midwest Conference South Division and then the conference championship."

Sander's teams have won the division eight of the last nine years. They won the conference title in 2002.