SXU Double-Athlete Named to CSC Academic All-District Team
Saint Xavier University (SXU) multi-sport student-athlete Katie DeHaan was recently named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team for her excellent academic success and performance as a defensive specialist and setter with the women's volleyball team.
"I feel honored to have received this award as it highlights my achievements in the classroom and on the court. It can be difficult to manage both academics and athletics, but forming relationships, making memories, and learning new things are all benefits of the journey that I have experienced at SXU," DeHaan said.
To achieve the award, a student-athlete must have a GPA of 3.50 or higher, start at least 66% of their team's matches and/or appear in 90% of matches played. As a speech-language pathology major with a 4.0 GPA, DeHaan was well-qualified, appearing in all 31 of the team's matches this season and finishing with 180 digs, 17 aces, 15 assists and a pair of kills.
When the junior isn't on the volleyball court, she is on the track running with SXU’s women's track and field team. In her year-round athletic schedule, DeHaan never loses sight of her goals after college, which motivates her to make her studies her priority no matter how hectic her schedule becomes.
"As a student-athlete, I take academics very seriously and place them at the top of my priority list. I make sure that I prioritize being a student first because I want to be successful not only beyond college and athletics but also for the rest of my life. Excelling in the classroom and being a part of the volleyball team has taught me many lessons that I will use every day," DeHaan said.
Balancing two sports on top of chasing a degree isn't the extent of DeHaan's involvement at SXU either. With dreams of going to graduate school and becoming a speech-language pathologist, she is part of SXU's National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA). NSSLHA works to support students in the communication sciences and disorders field in engaging in leadership opportunities, growing professionally, and excelling in the future.
"I have really enjoyed being a part of this association because I have learned more about speech-language pathology, met my peers who are also interested in this profession, and have made memories with new people," DeHaan said.
While SXU's volleyball season has ended, DeHaan is being thrown right into the indoor track and field season, which goes through the beginning of March. Three years into her college career, she has mastered time management and found that taking mental health breaks is something all athletes should consider.
"My advice for other student-athletes would be to keep working hard, stay organized, ask for help, and enjoy every moment. I think it is crucial to give yourself a break and be realistic about the expectations you set for yourself because your health is extremely important," DeHaan said.
The Academic All-District team recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performance on the field and in the classroom. CSC divides the honorees into four divisions: NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. By earning All-District, the winners advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot.