EMORY, Va. - The Emory & Henry College Department of Athletics in conjunction with Chi Alpha Sigma (XAΣ), the National College Athlete Honor Society, has announced the members of the inaugural induction class for the organization's "Virginia Xi Chapter."

The 30 individuals listed below represent 13 different sports and hail from 10 different states. The Intermont Equestrian program leads the way with eight honorees while the baseball, women's basketball, football, women's soccer and softball teams have also seen multiple student-athletes inducted into the group.

"We are extremely proud of these student-athletes for their success in the classroom," commented chapter co-advisor Joe Matthews, who also serves as Director of Sports Information & Game Day Operations. "Balancing the requirements of a rigorous academic schedule with the responsibilites to an athletic team while maintaining a healthy social life is a difficult task, but this group has accomplished all these things."

The Department of Athletics, in coordination with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, uses the following criteria for induction into the Xi Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma:

•        Must have earned at least one letter in a varsity intercollegiate sport and be in good standing with their team;
•        must have achieved at least junior academic status after their fifth semester;
•        must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.40;
•        must have endorsement from the head coach of their sport;
•        must be recommended by the college's chapter advisors;
•        must be of a good moral character.

Emory & Henry is one of seven institutions in Old Dominion Athletic Conference - Bridgewater College, Hollins University, University of Lynchburg, Randolph College, Sweet Briar College and Virginia Wesleyan University - to sponsor a chapter in the nationwide organization.

Founded in 1996 by then-DePauw University head football coach Nick Mourouzis, Chi Alpha Sigma was established to recognize college student-athletes who excel both on and off the field of competition. The goal of the organization is to provide outstanding student-athletes with an opportunity to become connected within a fraternal association that aligns their educational and athletic successes for a lifetime. Additionally, Chi Alpha Sigma has established a postgraduate scholarship in honor of Coach Mourouzis and now recognizes a pair of Scholar-Athletes of the Year from the membership.

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2020 Chi Alpha Sigma Induction Class