BATON ROUGE, La. – The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes honored six student-athletes for their academic achievements and community service for the month of August.
Each month, five student-athletes are recognized for their academic improvement, dedication and proven ability. In addition, one student-athlete is chosen through LSU’s Student-Athlete Affairs program for their volunteerism and commitment to the community.
August’s student-athletes of the month are Caleb Gilbert [Baseball], Cyril Grayson [Men’s Track and Field], Jerald Hawkins [Football], Jessie James [Swimming and Diving] and Jalyn Patterson [Men’s Basketball]. Christyna Pitre [Soccer] was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Student-Athlete of the Month.
Gilbert is a petroleum engineering major; Grayson is a kinesiology major, Hawkins, James and Patterson are sport administration majors and Pitre is an information systems major.
A native of Hoover, Alabama, Gilbert is a freshman right-handed pitcher who was named a 2015 Perfect Game All-American. He is the all-time wins leader at Hoover High School with 16 victories and had an 8-2 record during his senior season as posted a 1.22 ERA in 57 innings pitched, striking out 68.
Grayson is a senior sprinter from Kenner, Louisiana and is a two-time NCAA Champion as a member of both the 2014 and 2015 national champion 4×400-meter relay team, running the third leg in each. He has been named All-SEC four times and is a five-time All-American during his first three seasons at LSU.
The junior offensive tackle from Baldwin, Louisiana, Hawkins is entering his third football camp after starting all 13 games for the Tigers in 2014. He ranked second among the offensive linemen after having 834 offensive snaps on the season with 43 knockdowns on the season.
James, the senior freestyler and individual medley competitor from Albany, Oregon, finished her junior season after recording her top time in the 200 free at the Texas A&M Invitational. She finished second in the 1000 freestyle and fourth in the 500 free against Tulane as she earned her third varsity letter.
Sophomore guard Patterson hails from Alpharetta, Georgia, and broke out as a starter in the final 11 games during the 2014-15 season for the Tigers and participated in 31 games. He averaged 6.8 points per game and 8.8 points in SEC play in his average 24.5 minutes per game. The sophomore also averaged 2.4 rebounds and 2.19 assists per game.
Pitre was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Student-Athlete of the Month for her dedication to the community, participating in numerous service events throughout her freshman year. The midfielder from Austin, Texas appeared in all 20 of the Tigers’ matches and started 18 during the 2014 season. She recorded a pair of assists for two points on the 2014 season.
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 Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes.
The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes is a 54,000 square foot facility comprised of an academic affairs, student affairs and an information technology team, serving more than 530 student-athletes. The purpose is to provide an all-inclusive, student-centered support structure for all student-athletes from matriculation, through graduation and life beyond.