ROLLA, Mo. – Missouri S&T had 31 of its student-athletes record a 4.0 grade point average during the course of the 2016-17 academic year, earning each of them a spot on the Brother James Gaffney, FSC, Distinguished Scholar Award list from the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

The 31 recipients from S&T – the most ever in one year -- are two more than the athletic program had a year ago for the award that is named after the former president at Lewis University and a two-time chair of the league's Council of Presidents.  A total of 287 student-athletes from across the 15 full-time institutions and six associate members were honored for finishing the 2017-18 academic year with a 4.0 average in the classroom.

Among the 31 recipients were nine from the men's track & field program, six of whom also competed in cross country for the Miners during the past year.  Five members of the men's soccer team were honored as were four apiece from the women's soccer and track & field programs.

S&T's volleyball team was represented by three individuals, while two football players and student-athletes from the softball, baseball, swimming and men's basketball programs made up the balance of the 31 members.

Missouri S&T ranked third in total selections on the list to Truman State, who had 44 of its student-athletes selected and McKendree, which had 37 student-athletes named.