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 Akilah Bethel [Women’s Basketball], Conner Hale [Baseball], Brandon Pierce [Men’s Golf], Tony Upchurch [Football] and Michael Young [Men’s Swimming and Diving]. Joana Vale Costa [Women’s Tennis] was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Student-Athlete of the Month.
Bethel, Hale, Pierce and Vale Costa are sport administration majors. Upchurch is a construction management major, and Young is a general business major.
A Baltimore, Maryland native, senior forward Bethel started 13 times during her redshirt junior season, producing 4.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. She secured at least five points in 16 of 31 games and at least five rebounds in 15 of 31 games
Hale is a senior infielder from New Port Richey, Florida. The Seattle Mariners recently selected him in the ninth round of the 2015 MLB Draft. Entering the College World Series, Hale is fifth in the SEC in hits (86), sixth in the league in RBI (56) and eighth in doubles (17). He was also named to the 2015 First-Team All-SEC.
Pierce, a sophomore golfer from Covington, Louisiana, appeared in 25 rounds this season and won LSU’s first point in the match against USC, which won the 2015 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship. He’s had three top-10 finishes on the season with a stroke average of 71.16.
A freshman from Pearland, Texas, Upchurch redshirted the 2014 season. Out of high school, the fullback was named a four-star recruit by Scout.com and ESPN.com, also claiming a spot on the ESPN 300. During his senior season of high school, Upchurch caught 62 passes for 897 yards and six touchdowns, rushed for 347 yards and six touchdowns.
A senior that specialized in the backstroke, Young, from Sydney, Australia, holds LSU’s record in the 400- medley relay and holds the fourth all-time 100-yard backstroke time in LSU history. He was a 2013 NCAA qualifier.
Vale Costa 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 sophomore year. She was an All-SEC first team selection and became the 15th player in school history to reach 30 wins during a single 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.