MEMPHIS-The Christian Brothers University Athletics Department recognizes 99 student-athletes as Buccaneer Scholars. The athletes will be honored in a 6:00 p.m. ceremony Monday, April 8 in the University Theater.

Highlighting the awards are men's soccer midfielder Kyle Bellu (Aberdeen, Scotland / Mackie Academy), who will graduate with the highest cumulative GPA of any CBU men's athlete, and softball player Sierra Anderson (Olive Branch, Miss. / Lewisburg HS), who will graduate with the highest cumulative GPA of any CBU women's athlete. Bellu is an biology major with a 3.87 GPA, while Anderson is a business administration major with a 3.78 GPA.

In all, a record 39 student-athletes earned Gold awards for carrying a GPA between 3.70 and 4.00. Another 22 earned Silver awards for GPA's between 3.50 and 3.69, while 38 earned Bronze awards for GPA's between 3.20 and 3.49. The levels correspond with CBU's GPA requirements for summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude, respectively. Forty-six percent of CBU athletes are Buccaneer Scholars. In addition, women's soccer had the most honorees (16), while men's golf had the highest percentage of its team honored (67%). 

"I'm proud of this group of student athletes whom we recognize as Buccaneer Scholars," said Director of Athletics Brian Summers. "In its fourth year in existence, the honorees have grown and this group of seniors are the first 4-time recipients of the award. These students reflect the high expectations we have for our programs to succeed on the field and in the classroom. They provide a shining example to their teammates and the CBU community that athletics and academics are not mutually exclusive."

The Buccaneer Scholars award program was created to celebrate the academic accomplishments of Christian Brothers University's student athletes. These athletes exemplify the balance required of NCAA Division II athletes to compete in the Gulf South Conference--one of the strongest conferences in the country—and succeed in the rigorous CBU academic environment.