For Immediate Release: February 11, 2011
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Gaube and McDonough named America East Scholar-Athletes

VESTAL, N.Y.-- Graduate student Chris Gaube of the men's cross country team and senior outside hitter Michelle McDonough of the volleyball team, have been named America East Scholar-Athletes for the fall 2010 season. The Bearcat duo were among six student athletes honored by the conference for their performances both in their respective sports as well as in the classroom.

A committee of athletic administrators and NCAA Faculty Athletics Representatives chose an honoree in each of the six fall championship sports. Each America East Scholar-Athlete was a starter or prominent reserve and carries a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.20. Binghamton was the only one of the nine member institutions to have more than one honoree.

Gaube, a graduate student with a 3.50 GPA, completed his undergraduate work in English with a 3.74 GPA and has been named to the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll every semester of his career. A three-time member of the All-Academic Cross Country Team, the Bearcat has recorded one of the top-10 individual times at each of the last three America East Cross Country Championships to earn all-conference recognition.

Gaube has served as team captain, including captain of the 2009 America East Championship squad. He placed sixth at the 2010 meet to help lead his team to a second-place finish. Two years ago, Gaube placed a team-best third place and in the championship season last year, he was the runner-up. He is the first member of the Binghamton men's cross country squad to be named an America East Scholar-Athletes.

"We are very happy for Chris," head cross country coach Annette Acuff said. "He has done so much to transform our program into a championship squad and has been one of the best leaders I have ever known. That leadership has been just as evident in the classroom."

McDonough, the third Bearcat to win the award (Megan Hoag, 2006/Jacki Kane, 2007), posted a 3.41 GPA on her way to graduating with a degree in mathematics and secondary education in just three years. She is now currently working towards her master's degree in mathematics adolescence education through Binghamton's Education Department. She was also named to the America East All-Academic Team for the third straight season becoming only the second student-athlete to accomplish the feat since the team began in 2005.

During the 2010 season, McDonough amassed 392 kills on her way to setting BU's all-time kills record with 1,469, breaking Michele Heck's record of 1,445 set in 2004. McDonough's 3.88 kills per set was tops in the conference, while finishing second in points per set with 4.28. She also ranks third in school history in kills per set (3.49) and fifth in digs (1,078) making her the third Bearcat ever to finish their career with over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. McDonough was named to the America East All-Conference First Team for the third consecutive season.

"This is a great honor for Michelle," head coach Glenn Kiriyama said. "Michelle is one of the finest players to ever come through our program. Her dedication and commitment to excellence has been the hallmark of her career both as a student and as an athlete. Her contributions to the team the past four years have been without equal."

Since Binghamton joined the America East in 2001, Binghamton has had 23 America East Scholar-Athletes. This marks the first athletic season the Bearcats have had multiple winners since Rory Quiller of the men's indoor track & field squad and Brenno Varanda of the men's swimming & diving team were honored for the winter 2008 campaign.