Archive by Author | Cheval John

Thomas And Martin Earns “Rare” Three Peat

Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information

Sam Houston’s Britni Martin and Sequeena Thomas has become the first three-time Academic All-Southland Conference women’s basketball selections in the Bearkats’ 26 years in the league.

Martin and Thomas, who led the Kat women to the their first Southland Conference championship and a WNIT post-season appearance in 2013, are first team selections on the academic all-league honor squad announced Wednesday.

Martin is a graduate student with a 3.62 grade point average in education.

The Conroe product is a three-time first team All-Southland performer and was the team’s leading scorer this year with a 15.9 average.

Martin ended her career as the university’s all-time leader in free throw percentage (.797) and three point field goals (311) and stands No. 2 all-time in Kat scoring (1,834) and assists (122).

She is both a Dean’s List and President’s List student who earned her Bachelor’s degree and is completing work on her Master’s.

Thomas is a mass communication major with a 3.14 GPA.

The senior from Allentown, Penn., was named the conference’s defender of the year.

She earned first team All-Southland and all-tournament honors at the league’s post-season event in Katy.

A member of the All-Southland defensive team, Thomas ranked No. 1 in the league and No. 6 in NCAA Division I women’s basketball in rebounding.

She is the only Sam Houston player to total both more than 1,000 points and rebounds.

The Academic All-Southland team is selected annually by a vote of the league’s head coaches, sports information contacts and academic advisors.

Student-athletes must possess a 3.0 cumulative GPA, have completed one full academic year at the nominating institution and participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s competition to qualify for the all-academic squad.

A “Night” To Honor Champions

Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information

Bearkat championship teams from football, baseball, volleyball, women’s basketball and bowling will be honored at the inaugural Sam Houston “Night of Champions” event Sunday April 21.

In addition, SHSU senior student-athletes, All-America and All-Southland performers and other special award winners will be recognized.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center.

“Night of Champions” will be presented in an awards show format similar in style to the EPSYs or the Grammys.

Sam Houston graduate and Houston Texans public address voice David Brady is “Night of Champions” emcee.

Exciting video presentations featuring Sam Houston student-athletes, coaches and university administrators will highlight the presentation.

The videos will bring the most exciting moments from the Bearkats’ championship performances during the past year up close and personal.

“With conference titles in four sports and NCAA Championships appearances in three during the past year, this event will be an exciting night to remember for our university community,” Sam Houston Director of Athletics Bobby Williams said.

“Our student-athletes are stepping up to earn recognition for excellence on the national scene as well as in Texas,” Williams added. “Quality performances like theirs deserve quality recognition. This first class, video-intensive event is the perfect setting for our community to gather and celebrate this success.”

“Night of Champions” tickets priced at $75 will go on sale Monday April 8 beginning at 10 a.m.

Tickets may be ordered online at www.gobearkats.com, by phone at (936) 294-1729 or in person at the Sam Houston athletic ticket office at the Ron Mafrige Field House.

Doors at the Performing Arts Center will open at 4:30 p.m. April 21.

A jazz band will provide pre-event entertainment before the awards show presentation starts at 5:30 p.m.

The 90-minute event will be followed by a reception where sponsors and the public will have the opportunity to meet with Bearkat student-athletes in a one-on-one setting.