NIGERIANS MAKE CIAA COMMISSIONER'S ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM IN U.S.
FOR excelling in academics as well as for their contributions to the success of their respective athletics programmes, Kalada and Lolia Kienka have been named in the 13th Annual Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Commissioner's All-Academic Team in the United States (U.S.).
The Nigerians are among the 10-man first team chosen for having 3.95 overall grade point average (GPA) in their academics, while the second team also consists of 10 student-athletes averaging 3.69 overall grade point.
Kalada and Lolia, children of former national player, Godwin Kienka, are both studying Political Science and Computer Science respectively at the Shaw University. Kalada has 3.96 GPA and was Shaw's outstanding student in Computer Science the past year – an honour usually reserved for seniors.
He is also a member of the All CIAA Men's Tennis Team and played a major role in Shaw's team that won its sixth straight CIAA championship last season. In the past three years, Kalada had won several awards in Shaw, including rookie of the year, most outstanding player and most improved player.
Lolia maintained 3.82 GPA in her first year and upped it to 3.9 doing a double major in Business and International Relations. On court, she was named Women's Tennis Player of the year as well as Most Valuable Player of the CIAA Women's Tennis Tournament, which Shaw University win for the second straight season. Lolia was also named Student Athlete of the Year.
According to CIAA, this year's team defines the total NCAA DII student-athlete experience, with the members excelling on their respective playing fields and courts as well as in their classrooms and communities. Commissioner Leon G. Kerry said: 'I'm proud of each one of our student-athletes and their commitment and dedication to education.
'In these tough economic times, having the ability to multi-task and treat both their academic and athletic endeavours with devotion will set them ahead of the game of life.'