Three student-athletes from Daemen University received prestigious Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards from the East Coast Conference, recognizing their achievements in academics and sports. Zach Philipkoski, honored for men's basketball, became the first Daemen player since 2021 to earn the Male Scholar-Athlete title. Ethan Keating and Patsy Oberholzer were acknowledged for their performance in men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 cross country, respectively. The awards require recipients to maintain a GPA of at least 3.30 while excelling in their sport.

By the Numbers
  • Zach Philipkoski averaged 17.8 points per game and maintained a 3.86 GPA.
  • Ethan Keating posted a personal best 10K time of 32:56.2 while holding a 3.94 GPA.
  • Patsy Oberholzer finished with a cumulative GPA of 3.97 and set multiple personal records throughout the season.
Yes, But

While the achievements are impressive, the competition within the ECC is increasing, making it vital for future recipients to continue pushing academic and athletic boundaries to maintain this recognition.

State of Play
  • Daemen University is establishing a strong presence in the ECC with top performers across multiple sports.
  • The university's commitment to academic excellence is reflected in the high GPAs of these athletes.
What's Next

Going forward, the athletes will likely aim to build on their success, potentially pursuing championships while further enhancing their academic pursuits. This recognition could also attract more talent to the university programs.

Bottom Line

Daemen University鈥檚 Scholar-Athlete awards highlight the importance of balancing athletic achievements with academic excellence, setting a precedent for future student-athletes to aspire towards.