BATON ROUGE – The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes honored six LSU student-athletes for their academic achievements and community service for the month of July.
Each month, five student-athletes are recognized for their academic improvement, dedication and proven ability. In addition, one student-athlete is chosen through the CHAMPS Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success program for their volunteerism and commitment to the community.
July’s Student-Athletes of the Month are Michael Brockers [Fooball], Emily Cancienne [Soccer], Gloria Johnson [Gymnastics], Barkevious Mingo [Football], and Samia Stokes [Women’s Track and Field]. Brandon Gordon [Men’s Track and Field] was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills Student-Athlete of the Month.
Brockers and Mingo are planning on majoring in general studies, while Johnson is a fashion merchandising major. Cancienne is a member of the University College Center for Freshman Year (UCFY). The UCFY is an academic unit to help freshmen define their academic and career goals. Finance and psychology are Gordon and Stokes’ majors, respectively.
Gordon, a sophomore jumper from Plaquemine, has taken part in several Habitat for Humanity builds during the summer in North Baton Rouge. On the track, Gordon competed in seven total meets en route to shattering personal bests in both the long jump and triple jump.
A redshirt freshman from Houston, Texas, Brockers notched SuperPrep All-America status in addition to a four-star prospect rating from Rivals.com and Scout.com. He redshirted the 2009 season and was one of three players to earn the Most Improved Award following the National L Club Spring Game in March.
Cancienne, a midfielder from Baton Rouge, will join the defending three-time SEC Western Division champions on the soccer field in the fall. She picked up Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year honors after racking up 44 goals and 23 assists during her senior season at Baton Rouge Magnet High School.
A junior gymnast from Baton Rouge, Johnson recorded All-SEC Second-Team accolades for her 9.875 vault which tied for fourth place at the SEC Championships. She matched her career-high with a 9.90 on vault and added a 9.80 mark on beam as the Tigers upset No. 1 Alabama.
Mingo, a redshirt freshman from West Monroe, was a 5A All-State First-Team selection after recording 59 tackles at linebacker as a high school senior. He redshirted the 2009 season and converted to defensive end where he racked up seven tackles to go along with a pair of sacks in the National L Club Spring Game in March.
A sophomore thrower from Tempe, Ariz., Stokes received the Louisiana Track and Field Newcomer of the Year award after becoming the first Lady Tiger since 1994 to be crowned SEC discus champion with her mark of 168-5 at the conference meet. She also tallied a season-best of 177-11 at the NCAA East preliminary round and finishing No. 10 in the NCAA in the discus.
For putting forth extra effort in the classroom and community in addition to their rigorous academic and competition schedules, these six student-athletes will have their pictures displayed on the wall in the ACSA.