Erik Lotysz from Concord University's men's soccer team and Abbie Smith from the women's basketball team have been named finalists for the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year. Lotysz boasts a 4.0 GPA and has received multiple accolades, including being the first academic All-American in his program. Smith, with a 3.83 GPA, has also achieved impressive recognition on the court, including being named the MEC Player of the Year. Both athletes exemplify excellence in academics and sports, contributing significantly to their teams' successes. The award recognizes outstanding academic and athletic performance and includes finalists from various institutions in the MEC.

By the Numbers
  • Lotysz maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and was Concord鈥檚 Class Valedictorian.
  • Smith finished her career with a 3.83 GPA, ranking third in program history with 1,911 points and 1,129 rebounds.
State of Play
  • Lotysz started 23 of 36 games at Concord, contributing to 28 wins over two seasons.
  • Smith was named MEC Player of the Year and D2CCA Atlantic Regional Player of the Year in her final season.
What's Next

The winners of the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award will be determined by a vote among MEC administrators. The announcement of the award winners will recognize the top accomplishments in both academics and athletics. This recognition may further enhance the visibility and recruitment potential for both athletes.

Bottom Line

Lotysz and Smith's achievements underline the significance of balancing academic excellence with athletic performance, showcasing what it means to be a true scholar-athlete. Their recognition as finalists reflects positively on Concord University and sets a high bar for future student-athlete endeavors.