The City University of New York Athletic Conference annually recognizes its best and brightest student-athletes, who not only excel in athletics, but succeed in the classroom as well. Over the next few weeks, CUNYAC will recognize those who truly embody what it means to be a student-athlete. The award is presented by Hospital for Special Surgery, the official hospital of the CUNY Athletic Conference.
Melisa Wright, a member of the Medgar Evers College women's volleyball program, owns an impressive 3.64 grade-point average with a major in Psychology and an aspiration to become a teacher upon graduation. Wright has served as the President of Medgar Evers' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the past two years.
Wright has been active in her community, serving as a math tutor, hospital intern, camp counselor and office assistant at the Institute for Research and Social Problems.
A native of St. Catherine, Jamaica, Wright was four-year letter winner and team captain for the Cougars. She appeared in 88 matches, amassing 528 digs, 244 kills, 60 blocks and 57 service aces. In 2017, she was the CUNYAC Women's Volleyball Sportsmanship Award winner.
In her senior campaign, Wright joined the track and field team, making an immediate impact, posting a fifth-place performance in the shot put at this year's indoor championships.
"I am honored to have received this award. Even though I love being an athlete, I was a student first," Wright said. "Just like getting an ace on the court, I enjoy getting A's in my academics. Being an athlete made me organized and is one of the reasons I was able to keep my grades up. I wanted to play for my four years, so I was certainly not going to let my classes stop me from playing. Being a student-athlete has certainly molded me into the person I am today, and I will continue to strive for excellence, whether it's on the volleyball court or off."
2019-20 CUNYAC/HSS Scholar-Athlete of the Year Honorable Mentions
HSS is ranked #1 in the nation for orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report for the 10th straight year. No wonder the City University of New York Athletic Conference trust HSS as their official hospital. For more information, please visit www.HSS.edu. During this time of social distancing, HSS has developed resources to adjust to working from home, located on the new HSS Feel Better From Home website.