Sgrignoli and Leinemann named SU Scholar Athlete Award Winners

SALISBURY, Md. - Salisbury University announced its winners of the male and female Scholar Athlete Awards and senior field hockey student-athlete Lynette Sgrignoli and senior football student-athlete Billy Leinemann each garnered the award. The announcement coincides with the NCAA National Student-Athlete Day, which is today (Friday, April 6).

Sgrignoli played four seasons under SU coach Dawn Chamberlin where she started 41 of the 79 games she appeared in. The Enola, Pa. native ended her career ranked in the top 20 in career points with 92 and in 2006 recorded the 18th best assist season in school history with nine. In 2005 Sgrignoli was recognized as a third-team All-American, first team All-South Region and first-team All-Capital Athletic Conference performer. In addition she was named to the '05 and '06 National Field Hockey Coaches Association national academic squad.

"She is a very deserving recipient of this award," said Chamberlin. "She has been a true scholar-athlete during her tenure at Salisbury and has excelled on and off the field."

Leinemann was a four year starter for the Salisbury football program and twice named to the All-Atlantic Central Football Conference team. In 2006, he ranked first on the team in tackles for loss with eight and a half and tied for the lead in sacks with four. The Ocean City, Md. native was the '06 recipient of the Bobby Richards Award which is the most prestigious award given to a SU football player. Leinemann was a volunteer at the Berlin Head Start Program and was a student mentor for disadvantaged children at Beaver Run. The '06 team captain graduated in three and a half years as he averaged 16.8 credits a semester.

National Student-Athlete Day has been celebrated annually April 6 since 1987 as it is America's day to celebrate outstanding student-athletes who have achieved excellence in academics and athletics while having made significant contributions to the community. It is also a time to recognize those parents, teachers, coaches and school systems which make it possible for young people to find the balance between academics and athletics.

"Salisbury is an institution that places a high priority on academics for its student-athletes," said SU Athletic Director Dr. Michael Vienna. "Both of these students have excelled in the classroom and on the field and have demonstrated the ideals we hold for all our students."

Sgrignoli and Leinemann will be honored at the SU Honors Convocation on Friday, May 4 at 3:30 pm at Holloway Hall.