The athletic department at Muhlenberg was recently granted membership into Chi Alpha Sigma, the prestigious National College Athlete Honor Society. This is not only of large significance to student athletes, but to the community as a whole.
“Athletics continually strives to find ways to celebrate our student athletes accomplishments,” said Lynn Tubman, Muhlenberg’s Director of Athletics. “Chi Alpha Sigma is the first national scholar-athlete society to honor collegiate student athletes who have excelled in the classroom and in competition. We are excited that our many deserving student athletes will now be recognized as members of the honor society.”
The school’s inclusion in the society and the success of the student athletes in two critical domains of their college experience says great things not only about the athletic department and coaching staffs, but to Muhlenberg community as a collective. “Along with the many other chapters of national honor societies at Muhlenberg, it represents Muhlenberg’s recognition of academic excellence at our institution. Muhlenberg College is acknowledging the many student athletes who have dedicated themselves to performing at a high level academically and in their respective sports. We couldn’t be more excited for these deserving student athletes,” Tubman added.
Chi Sigma Alpha’s expansion onto Muhlenberg’s campus would not have been possible without the tireless effort of Lindsey Nagy, an Assistant Professor of Economics, who took on a key role as a liaison to the athletic department early in her career at Muhlenberg, effectively serving as their link to the academic element of the collegiate experience. “I am currently the Chair of the College Committee of Fitness and Athletics. CCFA is comprised of faculty, staff, and students. It was the student athletes on the committee that initiated the conversation about how to recognize student athletes at graduation. This prompted me to do some research, which is when we learned of the honors society. I met with Provost Harring and Dean Anderson to discuss the honors society and provide a rationale for Muhlenberg becoming a member. With their approval, I submitted the necessary paperwork to Chi Alpha Sigma.”
For Nagy, there is a tinge of personal significance to the addition, as collegiate athletics are something she cares about deeply, having played volleyball at Hood College in Maryland. “Having been a Division III athlete, I know the challenges student athletes face in balancing their commitment to their sport and to their academic pursuits.” Nagy also stressed the rigid schedules and grueling workloads that college athletes abide by, as they have to make immense time commitments year-round, often at the expense of other opportunities. “Practice and competition schedules can be extremely demanding of a student athlete’s time. Many of Muhlenberg’s student athletes have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement which speaks to their intellect, work ethic and drive to excel. The honor society will recognize and celebrate these highly motivated student athletes for the work they have done in the classroom and/or lab.”
Although the challenges of being a student athlete have long been documented, it often feels as if they are seldom recognized at the Division III level, as there is more emphasis on the classroom and athletes receive significantly less media attention than their Division I counterparts. Because of this, an honor society could enhance the experience even further as the acknowledgement could go a long way for the athletes, who work tenaciously in their pursuit of all of their endeavors in both domains with vim and vigor.
The addition of the honor society comes on the heels of many new developments from the athletic department, including Tubman’s installment as athletic director at the beginning of the academic year, the revamping of the website, and, of course, many accolades received by student athletes for their performances on the fields and in their academics.
