May 5, 2009

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - For the second consecutive year, Debbie Bateman of Saint Joseph's has been named the Student-Athlete of the Year in women's rowing in voting conducted among the Conference's sports information directors. To be eligible, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and be an important part of the team.

Bateman was a member of the winning Quad and Varsity 8 crew at the 2009 Atlantic 10 Championship on Apr. 18, the first-ever gold medals in those respective events for the Hawks, who finished third overall in the nine-team field. A first-team All-Conference selection after earning second-team distinction a year ago, the Longport, N.J., native also led Saint Joseph's to a runner-up finish in the Varsity 8 at the Kelly Cup on Apr. 25.

A six-time member of both the Saint Joseph's University Dean's List and A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll, Bateman maintains a 3.95 grade point average as a marketing major. She joins Abby Lively of UMass (2006-07) and Colleen McCroskey of Duquesne (2004-05) as two-time recipients of the Atlantic 10 Women's Rowing Student-Athlete of the Year honor.

Bateman is joined on the Academic All-Conference women's rowing team by teammate Colleen Greway; Airlina Burrill, Megan Donovan, Erin Kelly, Hilary Scheintaub and Samantha Schnoerr of Massachusetts; Dayton's Allison Gates; Sarah Lang of Fordham; and Rhode Island's Jenessa Redfern. Bateman earns her third Academic All-Conference honor, while Burrill is a repeat selection.

Women's Rowing Academic All-Conference Team
Debbie Bateman, Saint Joseph's - Sr. - Longport, N.J./Mainland Regional (Marketing)
Airlina Burrill, Massachusetts - Sr. - Eastham, Mass./Nauset Regional (Kinesiology)
Megan Donovan, Massachusetts - Jr. - Orange, Mass./Mahar Regional (Kinesiology)
Allison Gates, Dayton - Sr. - Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton (Sport Management)
Colleen Greway, Saint Joseph's - Jr. - Westmont, N.J./Haddon Township (Elementary/Special Education)
Erin Kelly, Massachusetts - Sr. - Stoughton, Mass./Fontbanne Academy (Nursing)
Sarah Lang, Fordham - Gr. - New Bedford, Mass./Tabor Academy (Communication & Media Studies)
Jenessa Redfern, Rhode Island - Sr. - Mystic, Conn./Stonington (Pharmacy)
Hilary Scheintaub, Massachusetts - Sr. - Byfield, Mass./The Governor's School (Music)
Samantha Schnoerr, Massachusetts - So. - Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk (Legal Studies)

Student-Athlete of the Year: Debbie Bateman, Saint Joseph's