CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month Presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery
For all of the 2015-16 award winners, visit cunyathletics.com/saotmawards
For more CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month History, visit cunyathletics.com/saotmhistory
Edwin Pascual, Lehman College
Junior with a 3.56 GPA in Recreation Education
Guard from the Bronx, NY and Bronx Regional High School
Edwin Pascual has been named the CUNYAC/Hospital for Special Surgery Scholar-Athlete of the Month for January 2016. The Bronx native majors in Recreation Education and has maintained a 3.56 GPA for the last five semesters. Pascual was also on the President’s List and the Dean’s List at Monroe College. Not only is his excellence known in the classroom, but Pascual shines on the court as well.
Edwin Pascual is an exceptional scholar-athlete who has impressed his coaches, professors and administrators in his first year at Lehman. Pascual has excelled on the court, in the classroom and in his community. January was a breakout month for Pascual as he surpassed or equaled his career-high in scoring six out of seven games, as his scoring average nearly doubled. Pascual scored 15 points against John Jay, 21 points vs. Rutgers Camden and 23 points against the Brooklyn Bulldogs.
When asked how he manages to balance course work, practice, games, work, and his personal life, Pascual laughs, “It’s tough man, when I’m not at practice, I’m studying; if I’m not doing either of those, I’m with my family or working. I do my best to take things one step at a time to not become overwhelmed.”
The junior guard loved playing sports from an early age and also played baseball, but eventually focused in on basketball, where he felt more comfortable. Pascual uses his dedication to academics as a framework for his commitment to the Lehman Men’s Basketball Team. After speaking with Edwin, it is clear that he is a wise young man, and is someone who gives all his endeavors 110% of his time and energy.
If Pascual isn’t on the court or in the books, he can be found enjoying spending time with his family. Pascual also has served as an Activity Specialist at MS27 for the last eight years. He sees the importance in early youth intervention, and serving as a role model to those within his community.
Lehman Head Coach, Steven Schulman shares, "Edwin Pascual is a special student-athlete. He is mature, cares about his team, his teammates and his coaches and puts a tremendous amount of effort into improving each and every day both on and off the court. In the classroom he is focused and well-respected by his professors. Ed also works with the youth of the Bronx, working in the off-season at after school programs and serves as a youth baseball coach."
“My dedication and hard work has paid off, and it feels great to have my worth ethic recognized,” Pascual said when asked what it was like to be named the January Scholar-Athlete of the Month. “It proves to me that you get exactly what you put in, and this encourages me to push even harder,” Pascual added.
As for Pascual’s plans for the future, he sees himself earning a Master’s degree and working in a school setting with children. Pascual states, “I want to show them that there is opportunity at every corner, and how basketball can be used as a gateway to academics. Working hard on the court and in the classroom can and will earn scholarships. I want to be the one to help someone realize that.” Pascual also works as a youth baseball coach in the Bronx, where he has been shaping young lives for years. When asked what advice he gives the children he coaches, "I tell them the strajght truth. Work hard and take every opportunity given to you." Edwin Pascual's success is due to his incredible work ethic and driven mindset.
CUNYAC/Hospital for Special Surgery Honorable Mentions (In order of submission)
All Honorable Mention information is courtesy of the institution’s sports information staff
Karen Mak at Brooklyn
Sophomore with a 3.98 in Kinesiology
Women's Basketball Guard from New York, NY and Eleanor Roosevelt
A Karen Mak elevated her game during the month of January for the Bulldogs. The sophomore guard, who split time as a starter/reserve, averaged 10.2 points and 4.8 assists, while helping her team to a 6-3 record on the month. The Kinesiology major notched a 4.0 GPA for the fall 2015 semester and has an overall GPA of 3.98.
Debra Chan at CCNY
Freshman with a 4.00 GPA in Biomedical Engineering
Women’s Basketball Guard from
Chan has played in nine games and started three in the month of January. After finishing her first semester at CCNY with a 4.0 GPA in biomedical engineering, Chan has also brought a lot to the court for the women's basketball team which is having the best season since the 2002-03 years. Chan offers 5.3 points per game while she averaged 17.9 minutes played.
Ryan Smart at York College
Freshman with a 3.24 in Movement Science
Men’s Basketball Center/ Forward from Brooklyn, N.Y. and School for Global Studies
Ryan Smart has been a vital member of the men's basketball team this season. In the month of January he averaged 12.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. This season, he ranks 15th in the CUNYAC in scoring and third in rebounding. He holds a 3.241 GPA.
Matthew Lee at Medgar Evers
Senior with a 3.28 GPA
Men’s Basketball Guard from Bloomfield, N.Y. and Weston High School
Matthew Lee played in eight games this month and averaged 37.2 minutes per game. Lee averaged an impressive 30.4 points per game, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He currently leads CUNY and NCAA Division III in points per game.
Sciencia Metelus at Medgar Evers
Junior with a 3.55 GPA
Women’s Track and Field from Petionville, Haiti
Sciencia Metelus participated in the Villanova Open and St. Joseph’s Invitational this month. She placed first in the 4x200 Relay in 1:54.66. She also placed 3rd in the 60m Dash in 8.34 seconds.
Ryan Markoe at Baruch
Freshman with a 3.28 in Movement Science
Men’s Basketball Center/ Forward from Brooklyn, N.Y. and School for Global Studies
Ryan is as talented on the court as he is in the classroom. He has been a regular two-year starter and has been involved in 32 wins the past two seasons.
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