Cleveland, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced today the presentation of the Cartwright Award to Miami University for its program excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship during the 2018-19 school year.  Miami is the first school in Conference history to win this prestigious award in consecutive years.
 
"The Cartwright Award is unique in that it recognizes excellence not only on the field of play, but also in the classroom and in community," said Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, Mid-American Conference Commissioner. "The Cartwright Award speaks to the core values of our Conference and to be selected by one's peers for this award for the second consecutive year is a tremendous honor. Once again, I applaud Miami University's students, coaches and entire staff for this special honor."  
 
The Cartwright Award is an institutional award presented annually to one university in the MAC.  A committee with representation from all 12 institutions selected the Cartwright Award winner from nominations submitted based upon the criteria of excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship.  The award began in 2008-09 and this is the second time Miami University has received this honor. Miami University competes in 18 varsity sports and supports more than 550 student-athletes.
 
"I am incredibly proud and impressed by the diligence, effort and humble service of our student athletes," said Miami University President Dr. Gregory Crawford.  "To win the Cartwright Award at all was incredible, but to be the first Mid-American Conference University to receive the award two-years in a row is a testament to their unparalleled leadership and resolve. Our student athletes do it all – they are amazing scholars in the classroom, they serve their community and they are exceptional in athletic competition - winning both the MAC Reese and Jacoby Awards as the top men's and women's sports competitors in the Conference – they are truly leaders on campus."  

 
The Cartwright Award is named in honor of Dr. Carol A. Cartwright, one of the most highly respected voices in higher education. Dr. Cartwright served as the President of Kent State University from 1991-2006 and President of Bowling Green from 2008-2011.  Dr. Cartwright previously was the vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of California at Davis and dean for undergraduate programs and vice provost at the Pennsylvania State University.  She has served on the NCAA Board of Directors and is a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.
 
"I am bursting with pride for our student-athletes, coaches and staff for winning the Cartwright Award," added Miami University Director of Athletics David Sayler. "To win an award that symbolizes the best overall athletic program in the combined areas of academics, competitive success and community service, not once but two years in a row shows our mission of 'Graduating Champions' has taken hold. We will celebrate this accomplishment of course but I am excited for our future as well. Miami Athletics will not rest or tire in our relentless pursuit of excellence."
 
Below is a brief summary of the accomplishments by Miami University in each of the three areas of academic, athletic and citizenship excellence:
 
Miami University Academic Summary (2018-19):

• 97.5% of Miami student-athletes were employed full-time or accepted into graduate school within six months of graduation.
• Miami student-athletes had a 91% graduation success rate, which is a full 6% points higher than the general student body rate of 85%.
• 68% of Miami student-athletes maintained a 3.00 GPA or higher.
• 64 Miami student-athletes earned a perfect 4.00 GPA, which represents 6% of Miami's student athletes.
• 209 Miami student-athletes received Dean's List Honors with a 3.60 GPA or higher (top 17% in their academic division).
• 15 of the 17 MAC sponsored sports earned a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or higher.
• The Spring 2019 semester marked the 29^th straight semester, which represents nearly 15 years, with Miami student athletes with a GPA above 3.00.
• Eleven of the 14 Miami RedHawk teams earned a perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000 for the 2018-19 academic year, with all 14 teams scoring higher than 980. The teams with the perfect scores included:  Men's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Men's Golf, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Field Hockey, Softball, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Track & Field, Volleyball.
• Miami student athletes were recognized with 163 Academic All-MAC selections, 32 MAC President Awards, 96 Commissioner's Awards, 231 Honor Roll recipients and 46 MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete Award winners.
• Miami's volleyball program was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) with a Team Academic Award with a 3.41 cumulative mark.
• The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) tabbed the Miami field hockey program with a National Academic Team Award winner and the RedHawks led the nation with 21 athletes named to the National Academic Team.
• Miami's women's cross country team was recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as Division I All-Academic Team with a 3.59 GPA.
• The College Swimming & Diving Coaches' Association of America (CSCAA) named both the men's and women's programs to the Scholar All-America Team.

 
Miami University Athletic Summary (2018-19):

• For the first time in Miami University Athletics history, both the men's and women's programs won both the MAC Reese and Jacoby Trophies.
• Almost every athletic team improved upon the MAC standings from the previous year, including eight MAC team championship titles, a National Championship in Synchronized Skating, 29 individual MAC Champions, along with an impressive list of individual All-American recognition, six MAC Players of the Year, a record seven MAC Coaches of the Year awards and four MAC Freshman or Newcomer of the Year awards.
• 15 of the 17 MAC sports teams competed in MAC Championship events.
• Men's cross country won the MAC Championship for the first time in 20 years with all nine runners placing in the top 25.
• Women's field hockey continued its winning ways by going undefeated in the regular season for the second consecutive year. The RedHawks were No. 24 ranked team in the nation for the first time in school history behind National Offensive Player of the Year and HONDA Award Finalist, Paula Portugal.  Miami field hockey won the MAC Championship and defeated Boston University in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 against Duke, losing 1-0 against the No. 3 ranked team in the country.
• Miami volleyball secured the regular season title for the third year in a row and competed in the NIVC Tournament and secured a postseason victory.
• Miami football went 6-2 in MAC play, finishing the regular season with three straight wins over rivals Ohio, NIU and Ball State.
• Women's basketball finished 23-9 overall, including an 11-game win streak and advanced to the MAC Basketball Tournament Semifinals and its second consecutive WNIT appearance.
• Men's swimming & diving witnessed Hollie Bonewit-Cron become the first female head coach in MAC history to lead a men's team to a MAC championship, the RedHawks first since 2006.
• Men's track & field was well-represented by the Torpy twins, as their MAC Championship team third place finish was the highest since 1999.  Sean Torpy earned the MAC Most Valuable Performer by winning the 1500m, 800m, and the 5000m.  Twin brother Chris was MAC champion in the steeplechase.  Both went on to the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas, while Ryan Smith won MAC Track & Field Freshman of the Year.
• Miami's Olivia Bechtel won the Most Outstanding Track Performer after securing the 400m title and the anchor led on the 4x400 relay team.  All-American Danielle Collier wan the MAC javelin and finished 10^th at the NCAA Championships.
• Miami softball won its first MAC regular season title in school history and posted a 14-game win streak.
• Miami baseball also produced a 14-game win streak, while the 37 wins marked the best finish since the 2005 season.
• Miami women's tennis earned both the regular season title and MAC championship, advancing to the NCAA Championships in Nashville against Vanderbilt.

 
Miami University Citizenship Summary (2018-19):

• During the 2018-19 academic year, Miami athletics participated in community projects accumulating over 4,650 hours of service locally, impacted over 54 schools, non-profit organizations, hospitals, businesses, children's organizations, local families and assisted living facilities.
• Miami football served over 800 hours, while baseball averaged 15 hours per athlete and each team averaged 273 hours volunteered within the community.
• Women's basketball raised $60,000 through t-shirt sales and auctions for LunaCares, a local charity that supports women with everyday assistance while fighting cancer.
• For the sixth consecutive year, 100% of Miami teams donated to the Miami Red & White Club, Miami's annual athletic scholarship fund, supporting their teammates and investing in future RedHawks.
• The entire football team traveled to downtown Cincinnati for 'Light Up The Night' in support of our adopted young teammates fighting cancer – Liam, Quinton and Tyler.
• Miami baseball and softball teams collaborated to host Best Buddies for a day of play in the indoor sports center.  Miami's Best Buddies chapter was recently tabbed as the best in the nation.
• Miami Athletics hosted multiple 'World Night' programming at sporting events, including fun videos and ethnic food to encourage international students and staff to join athletic events.
• Hosted 'I Am Miami' week to support MAC Diversity & Inclusion Week, celebrating all of our differences as part of the same Miami family.
• Miami volleyball, football and hockey played their 'I Am Miami' video on the video boards at events, while field hockey celebrated Pride Day.
• Incoming freshmen athletes in football and men's and women's basketball attended 'Summer Bridge', a six-week academic opportunity to prepare for the transition from high school to college.  All athletes took a writing class, as well as a Women's Studies or Black World History class, engaging in inclusive dialogues.
• RedHawk Council, Miami's student-athlete advisory committee, consisted of 28 women and 21 men, 17 of whom identify as minority, LGBTQ or are international students.
• Miami administrators mentored two minority student-athletes and one minority professional with educational opportunities in various areas within athletics, providing guidance and additional responsibilities for growth. Resulting from this mentorship is a new support and resource group, ICA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, as well as structure for a new Leadership Academy.
• Each fall, Miami student-athletes welcome freshmen with t-shirts with the "I Am Miami' code of Love & Honor written on them.
• ICA hosted a mandatory Mental Health First Aid Training for all coaches, as well as joining the MAC Mental Health Summit last February.
• The Miami Executive Leadership Team participated in Safe Zone Training, providing support and a voice for those athletes and staff that identify in the LGBTQ community.
• ICA presented 'Miami Inclusive Excellence Awards' to university departments at home football and basketball games to celebrate their initiatives and emphasis on a more inclusive community.
• Baseball, softball, men's and women's basketball all completed Diversity & Inclusion Education Modules, learning about privilege and real-life scenarios to role play being allies for others.
• 100% of Miami coaches, staff and volunteers completed Clergy Act/Duty to Report online training and Ethics Education to protect all on campus.
• Developed the RedHawk Sister Circle, a support network for female coaches and staff, to develop networking and professional opportunities, as well as social support.
• A 'Diversity & Inclusion' page to Miami's ICA website provides links for support, events on campus and clubs.

 
Cartwright Award Winners:
2018-19           Miami
2017-18           Miami
2016-17           Eastern Michigan
2015-16           Kent State
2014-15           Central Michigan
2013-14           Eastern Michigan
2012-13           Kent State
2011-12           Toledo
2010-11           Western Michigan
2009-10           Kent State
2008-09           Central Michigan