WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks has been accepted into the National College Athlete Honor Society as the Pennsylvania Beta Pi Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma (XAΣ), which recognizes student-athletes from accredited four-year NCAA, NAIA, USCAA or NCCAA institutions who excel in both the classroom and competition.
In order to be inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must attend a four-year accredited college or university which is a member of an association or organization that promotes academic achievement and varsity-level athletics competition while holding commitment to the principles of integrity, sportsmanship and overall development of their student-athletes. The honoree also must achieve at least junior academic standing by the fifth semester or seventh quarter, as determined by the certifying institution, and must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade-point average of a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
Andrew Friesen, associate professor of kinesiology at Penn State Berks, will serve as adviser for Penn State Berks’ chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma. He explained, “Chi Alpha Sigma celebrates the physical and academic excellence of our student-athletes. This honor society provides a platform to recognize these DIII students as the best students Penn State has to offer to their local communities. We are proud to support and showcase the well-rounded excellence of our student-athletes at Penn State Berks. We anticipate approximately 46 Penn State Berks student-athletes will qualify this year.
About the National College Athlete Honor Society
The National College Athlete Honor Society, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1996. Theta Chi Alpha and Chi Alpha Sigma work with state chapters of two- and four-year institutions to recognize college student-athletes who excel in their sport, the classroom and the community. The National College Athlete Honor Society is part of an athletics community made of diverse groups and supports all efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Chi Alpha Sigma was founded in 1996 by then DePauw University head football coach Nick Mourouzis. His goal was 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. For more information, visit ChiAlphaSigma.org.
About Penn State Berks Athletics
Penn State Berks is a member of NCAA Division III and offers twelve varsity sports including men’s baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s softball, men’s and women’s tennis, and women’s volleyball. For more information, visit psuberksathletics.com.