Sobel and Fitzgerald Earn CSCAA Scholar All-American Honors
Springfield, Mass. - July 6, 2009 - Teammates Matt Fitzgerald and Brian Sobel were recently honored for their outstanding efforts in both the pool and the classroom as they were named 2009 CSCAA Scholar All-Americans by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America.Scholar All-Americans are selected on the basis of their performance in the pool and classroom. To be selected to the All-American team, swimmers or divers must qualify for the NCAA Championship meet and achieve a GPA of 3.50 or higher. Honorable Mention selections must achieve a NCAA consideration time and 3.50 or higher GPA.
Increased championship participation caps, along with the impact of high-tech suits produced a bumper crop of selections with 471 first-team selections and an additional 430 honorable mentions totaling a record 901 individual certificates.
With the award, Sobel caps off what was an incredible sophomore season. Last season, the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Diver of the Year finished third in the country at the NCAA's in the one-meter diving competition and eighth in the three-meter. To date, Sobel owns three of the four school records on the diving boards.
Fitzgerald finished second behind Sobel on both boards at the NEWMAC Championships as he qualified for the NCAA Championships. At the national event, Fitzgerald finished in 15th in both the one and three meter diving events en route to a pair of Honorable Mention All-American accolades.
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Head Coach John Taffe
John Taffe enters his 21st season in 2009-2010 as the head coach of the men's and women's swimming teams at Springfield College. Under Taffe’s leadership, the Pride has returned to its status as one of the best collegiate swimming and diving programs in Division III. Read more.
Diving Coach Peter Avdoulos
Peter Avdoulos is regarded as one of the top diving coaches in the nation, and will enter his 25th season as the diving coach for both the men's and women's programs in 2009-2010. The current NEWMAC Men's Diving Coach of the Year, Avdoulos has coached countless All-New England and All-American divers, as well as several National Champions. Read more.