MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics Department recently recognized its outstanding student-athletes for their accomplishments both in the classroom and in the community during the past academic year.
 
"We are very proud of our student-athlete's accomplishments in the classroom," said Chris Hmielewski, SMSU Director of Athletics. "We continue to challenge our student-athletes collectively to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.2. At the end of the 2017-18 academic year, SMSU student-athletes had a cumulative GPA of 3.15, the highest GPA recorded in the history of the department."
 
At halftime of the SMSU men's basketball game on Feb. 15, SMSU honored 136 student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher. This past fall semester, SMSU student-athletes had a cumulative GPA of 3.08. SMSU also recognized five student-athletes who earned the NSIC Myles Brand with Distinction Award. The award is given to senior student-athletes with a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher and are on track to graduate.
 
SMSU earlier this month also recognized its student-athletes and department staff members for being named a finalist for the 2019 Division II Award of Excellence. The award recognizes events and activities that exemplify the type of campus and community engagement that the division emphasizes. SMSU was named the 2018-19 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference winner for its "HyVee KidsFit" program held this past September. SMSU hosted more than 900 2^nd to 5^th graders to promote health to young children in the Marshall community. Mustang student-athletes welcomed and helped lead and engage with the students during the program.
 
"It was wonderful to see the Marshall Community and all our Mustang fans at the SMSU women's and men's basketball games recognize our student-athletes academic success with a standing ovation," Hmielewski said. "Our coaches, staff members and administrators appreciate the hard work and commitment our student-athletes display each day toward their academic success."