SXU Student-Athlete Named to CSC Academic All-District Team
At the conclusion of the fall semester, four outstanding Saint Xavier University (SXU) women's volleyball players were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, including senior outside hitter Connie LeBel, who collected the honor for the second consecutive year.
To qualify, student-athletes 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 fitness instructor at Treadfit in Palos Heights balancing a virtual internship and a hectic volleyball schedule, it can be tough for LeBel to squeeze in additional academic experiences like in-person internships or extracurriculars. Absorbing as much knowledge as possible in the classroom and while studying has always been a top priority for her throughout her college career, leading her to maintain such a high GPA.
"It's always nice to be recognized for my studies off the court. We are a very focused group, so these awards mean a lot, especially balancing schoolwork during the season. As a student-athlete, it's important to stay focused in the classroom because our sport consumes a lot of our time. We don't always have the same opportunities as other students to join a club or get an internship for the year. Having good grades and being engaged in the classroom helps give us that experience we need to feel prepared," LeBel said.
The women's volleyball team collectively held each other accountable and took their academics as seriously as they did their game this season. With study sessions together in the library before practice, they found that academic time management is a prerequisite for success, which ultimately bled onto their performance on the court.
"As athletes, we have other tasks such as taking care of our bodies with recovery or watching films to prep for a game. Managing all these tasks along with actual schoolwork deadlines is important because if you take the time to plan it out, it makes it much easier to get it done. During away games, we usually set time aside when on the road or at hotels to get our work done for the week so we can focus. Many of us go to the library or work in the Shannon Center before practice. Having self-discipline and holding my teammates accountable is a huge part of our success with time management," LeBel said.
The effort put in outside of the classroom combined with the educational opportunities at SXU have led to LeBel's upcoming graduation with a double major in digital marketing and management. While currently in the process of applying to grad schools, she plans to be a grad assistant for the women's volleyball program and obtain an MBA in healthcare management.
"The thing I will miss the most about SXU is the community. I grew up on the South Side, so being surrounded by my friends and family while playing has been a special experience. This group of volleyball girls are also special to me. They are a hardworking crew, and we all have great chemistry on/off the court. This a group of friends that I'm going to have for a lifetime," LeBel 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. The honorees for First-, Second- and Third-Team Academic All-America will be announced on January 14, 2025.