Spezzacatena Named Capital One Academic All-America
June 21, 2012
MORROW, Ga. - Robert Spezzacatena, a senior on the Clayton State track & field team, was named Capital One Academic All-America to the men’s cross country and track & field team. Spezzacatena was selected to the third team and is the first track & field Laker in the program’s 16-year history to be named Academic All-America.
The award is widely regarded as the highest individual honor a student-athlete can achieve, as it measures success in the classroom and success on the track. The academic teams are administered and selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Spezzacatena, who hails from North Bergen, N.J., finished his career at Clayton State this spring as a four-year letter winner in track, as well as two seasons on the cross country team. He graduated in May with a business degree and a 3.90 grade point average (GPA).
“This is a very nice honor for Rob to receive as he completed his athletic career here at Clayton State,” said Laker head coach Mike Mead. “Rob was a leader in the classroom and on the track and is deserving of this honor.
"Last month, Spezzacatena, along with teammate Russell Lawless, were named to the Capital One Division II Academic All-District teams for men’s cross country and track & field.
During his track career, Spezzacatena ran primarily the 400 and 800m events. This past season, he raced distances from 100m to 400m and ran legs on the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m relays. In 2010, he held the team’s 600m indoor record that teammate Ricky Fort bettered in 2011.
Spezzacatena was recipient of the H. Mason Barfield Award for the past two seasons which recognizes the top male academic student within the Clayton State athletics program. He was named Gold Scholar for four consecutive years to the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll. Gold Scholars are those student-athletes who earn a GPA between 3.75 and 4.00.
To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.
