Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2016-17 | Hawk Talk Monthly — Feb. 2017
Editor’s Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa’s Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide. To receive daily news from the Iowa Hawkeyes, sign up HERE.
By JAMES ALLAN
hawkeyesports.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Corey Burns is a three-year letterwinner for the University of Iowa soccer program, who will receive her third Presidential Committee on Athletics (PCA) medallion Sunday.
The PCA honors Hawkeye student-athletes who have excelled both academically and athletically during the previous academic year. Burns will receive a silver medallion, signifying her third varsity letter while posting at least a 3.00 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).
“It’s a great accomplishment,” said Burns, a defender from Green Oaks, Illinois. “(Earning this honor) is an expectation I set every year because it means I am working hard in school to get good grades… and its makes my parents proud.”
The PCA will honor 182 Iowa student-athletes during halftime of the men’s basketball game against Nebraska. Student-athletes from all 24 sports earned the distinction.
“The PCA Medallion presentation is particularly special for our students given the standing tradition of this ceremony within our department and recognition by UI faculty and staff,” said Liz Tovar, associate athletics director for student-athlete academic services.
“The Presidential Committee on Athletics holds our students to a high academic standard and it is a pleasure to see so many student-athletes living up to those expectations.”
Twenty-eight student-athletes will receive the gold medallion for achieving the athletic and academic achievement for the duration of their collegiate careers. Burns is one of 35 student-athletes to earn a silver medallion, 48 will receive a light bronze medallion (two years), while 71 Hawkeyes will earn a bronze medallion, signifying their first honor.
The Iowa athletics department had 697 student-athletes during the 2015-16 academic year; more than 25 percent of student-athletes were recognized.
“To be one of the few to be honored my junior year is something I take pride in,” said Burns. “It’s neat to say I get invited to PCA ceremony each year and cool to be one of the student-athletes to continue earning the recognition. My parents enjoy getting the call that I received the honor.”
