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 June.
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.
June’s student-athletes of the month are Blake Caldwell [Men’s Golf], Myia Hambrick [Gymnastics], Colleen O’Neil [Swimming & Diving], Kramer Robertson [Baseball] and Allie Walljasper [Softball]. Justin McMillan [Football] was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Student-Athlete of the Month.
Caldwell is a general business major, Hambrick is a mass communication major, McMillan and Robertson are sport administration majors, O’Neil is a marketing major and Walljasper is an interdisciplinary studies major.
A native of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Caldwell is a sophomore golfer who has played in eight tournaments during his two-year career. He helped the Tigers take home the team title at the Golfweek Conference Challenge after tying for 29th place with a final score of 9-over par 225 in Burlington, Iowa, during his freshman campaign.
Hambrick is a sophomore all-arounder from Temple, Georgia, who had a dynamic sophomore season as she helped the Tigers to the highest finish in school history as the 2016 National Runner-Up. She was named a 2016 First Team All-American on the floor exercise and all-around and stabled herself as a two-time All-SEC performer, finishing as the national runner-up on the floor exercise.
Junior breastroker and individual medley swimmer O’Neil holds the LSU record in the 400-Medley Relay. A member of the 2015 SEC Academic Honor Roll and a 2015 and 2016 NCAA qualifier, the Abington, Massachusetts, native developed into one of the top breaststrokers during her sophomore campaign.
Robertson is a junior shortstop from McGregor, Texas, solidified a role in the starting lineup, batting in the three-hole for most of the season. The 2016 All-SEC selection helped lead the Tigers to their 12th NCAA Super Regional Appearance, finishing the season with a .324 batting average with a team-high 20 doubles.
Sophomore pitcher from Manteca, California, appeared in 29 games in the circle, finishing with a 1.78 ERA after helping her team reach the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. She also appeared in 46 games at the plate as she collected 18 hits with three home runs and eight RBIs.
McMillan was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Student-Athlete of the Month for his dedication to the community, participating in numerous service events throughout his first year. The redshirt freshman from Cedar Hill, Texas, is a dual-threat southpaw quarterback who led his high school to consecutive state titles in 2013 and 2014.
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.