The 2008-09 academic year at the University of Evansville was an outstanding one for Purple Aces' student-athletes. For the first time since 1991, UE produced three Academic All-Americans, and nine of the University's 14 teams earned academic honors from their national organizations.

In addition, UE student-athletes put in 2,695 hours of community service, topping the goal of 2,000. Many sports offered free camps and clinics. The department volunteered more than 237 hours at the Komen Race for the Cure. Special Olympics was also a big part of the Aces' events this year with 240 total hours. Aces' athletes helped at the Special Olympic swim meets, bowling tournament and softball programs. The UE Student-Athlete Advisory Committee specifically organized the Just Read program, Toys-for-Tots, and ringing bells for the Salvation Army. Athletes also participated in Habitat for Humanity, at The Protestant Home, Adopt-A-Family, Relay for Life, and Pen-Pals with middle school students.

"Our student-athletes have found ways to become even more active in our community, and that is something I am very proud of," said Director of Athletics John Stanley. "Combined with their academic and athletic achievements, you can see they have put in a lot of time in order to become successful in many ways."

Here's a look at the top academic honors for 2008-09:

TEAM ACADEMIC AWARDS

Women’s Basketball: Academic Progress Rate honor from NCAA

Men’s Cross Country: Academic Progress Rate honor from NCAA, USTFCCCA Academic All-America Team

Women’s Cross Country: USTFCCCA Academic All-America Team

Men’s Soccer: NSCAA Team Academic Award

Women’s Soccer: NSCAA Team Academic Award

Softball: NFCA ‘Girls Got Game’ Top Ten All-Academic Team

Tennis: ITA All-Academic Team

Volleyball” AVCA Academic All-America Team

Women’s Swimming & Diving: CSCAA Scholar All-American Team

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS:

Kayla Lambert, 3rd team women’s soccer

Jason Holsinger, 1st team men’s basketball

Brian Joyce, 2nd team men’s cross country/track

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA FINALISTS (1st team all-District V)

Jason Holsinger, men’s basketball

Shannon Novosel, women’s basketball

Brian Joyce, men’s cross country

Kayla Lambert, women’s soccer

Julie Winkler, women’s soccer

Mike Luttrull, men’s soccer

Kate Chybowski, women’s tennis (at-large team selection)

OTHER NATIONAL AWARDS:

Jason Holsinger, NCAA Division I-AAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Shannon Novosel, honorable mention on NCAA Division I-AAA Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete Team

MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE AWARDS

Co-MVC Men’s Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year: Jason Holsinger

Presidents Council Academic Awards: Jason Holsinger, men’s basketball; Matt Hunsaker, men’s golf; Ryan Linsner, men’s golf; Shannon Novosel, women’s basketball; Megan Bowlds, women’s cross country; Kellee Widener, women’s soccer; Stephanie Millis, women’s tennis

FIRST TEAM MVC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES:

Baseball: John Foley

Men’s Basketball: Jason Holsinger

Women’s Basketball: Ashley Austin, Shannon Novosel

Men’s Golf: Matt Hunsaker

Men’s Soccer: Mike Luttrull

Women’s Soccer: Kayla Lambert, Nicole Moyen, Julie Winkler

Women’s Swimming & Diving: Anna Luecke, Christina Schmidgall, Ady Sekely, Annie Shackelford, Kaitlyn Sluka, Diane Threlkeld

Tennis: Kate Chybowski, Stephanie Millis, Ashton Schwerin

UE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS:

Jason Holsinger, basketball, Ralph H. Coleman Award

Shannon Novosel, basketball, Lois D. Patton Award