Student Wins Athletic Award for Academic Achievement

Harcum College women’s volleyball player Coral Barbaretta was recently granted a Student-Athlete Award from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Barbaretta was recognized for her academic excellence with one of the Superior Academic Achievement Awards, which is granted to the athletes who maintain 3.80 to 3.99 on a 4.00 grade-point-average scale.

The 2011-2012 season marks the 29th year that the NJCAA has recognized the success of its student-athletes in the classroom. Nearly 60,000 student-athletes among 28 different sports competed in the NJCAA in this past academic year. However, only 1,680 met the requirements for individual academic honors.

Barbaretta, a Harrisburg native, is completing her Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology and is anticipated to graduate in August. A Middle Blocker, she played for the Harcum Lady Bears during both her freshmen and sophomore years. In the Fall 2011 season, she led the team with 116 kills, as well as 34 aces, the second highest on the team.

“Coral has been an incredible asset to the Lady Bears, from her performance on the court to the encouragement and support she gives to the team,” said Jenn McKeighan, women’s volleyball coach at Harcum College. “But I’m most proud of her determination to excel in academics while also dedicating her time to volleyball. She has been a great example to the rest of the team and while we’ll miss her next season, I’m confident she’ll move on to accomplish great things in her future.”

The NJCAA has been the governing body of two-year college athletics since 1938, offering athletic and academic opportunities to college students. It is the second largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States with over 500 member schools in 43 states.