Student Athletes competing in the newly formed Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) have achieved an extremely high level of academic performance during the conference’s first athletic season of 2008/2009.

Across the conference’s six academic institutions, 60 per cent of student athletes achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or better during the 2008-2009 academic year. These individuals have been given the distinction of “Scholar Athletes,” a standard that has been established by the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association.

In comparison to roughly 20 per cent of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) student athletes who achieved a grade point average of at least 3.0, the MCAC has displayed unparalleled academic achievement for athletes in Canadian post-secondary institutions. These efforts clearly make Manitoba colleges highly sought after destinations for student athletes who wish to attain a high level of scholastic achievement and learning, all while competing in an elite level of college athletics.

“The outstanding level of academic excellence at our member institutions is truly amazing. Our student athletes have clearly demonstrated how excellence in sport can translate to excellence in the classroom," said MCAC executive director Bill Wedlake.”

Of the six MCAC institutions, two achieved scholar athlete status for over 67 per cent of their athletes, while no institution recorded lower than 42 per cent achievement.

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