Four Flashes Claim Distinguished Scholar Athlete Honors
12/21/2016 11:06:00 AM | Football
Four Kent State football players were recently named Mid-American Conference Distinguished Scholar-Athletes. Senior linebacker Nick Cuthbert (Chesterland, Ohio) became a three-time MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, while sophomore safety Matt Bahr (Kenton, Ohio), sophomore quarterback George Bollas (Aurora, Ohio) and junior quarterback Nick Holley (Toledo, Ohio) each became two-time selections.
Representing the 'best of the best' from each sports Academic All-MAC Teams, Distinguished Scholar-Athletes are voted in by faculty athletic representatives at MAC institutions. The number of Distinguished Scholar Athletes from each sport were equivalent to the number of first-team selections or 33% of Academic All-MAC nominees, whichever was greater.
Cuthbert carried a 3.97 grade point average as a criminal justice major and is on pace to earn a master's degree in May. The two-time Academic All-American made 98 tackles on the season with 8.5 tackles for loss.
Bahr, also a criminal justice major, carries a 3.86 GPA. A regular on special teams, he made six tackles.
Bollas boasts a 3.70 as a chemistry major. He completed 27 passes for 402 yards with two touchdowns and ran for a touchdown.
Holley carries a 3.56 GPA as a finance major. A three-time MAC East Offensive Player of the Week this season, he rushed for 920 yards and 10 touchdowns, threw four TD passes and caught a pair of touchdowns.
To be initially eligible for the academic accolade, student-athletes must be in at least their second year of school, carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher and participate in 50 percent of the team's games that season.
Later this winter and spring, the MAC will announce Distinguished Scholar Athletes from the remaining winter and spring sports sponsored by the conference.
