Glendora, CA -- Former Citrus College student athlete Andrew McNeil (below) has been nominated by the Western States Conference as their 2005-2006 Pepsi Scholar Athlete Award winner. The Pepsi Scholar Athlete Award is the Commission on Athletics highest student achievement award, awarding not only excellence in athletics but excellence in the classroom. Candidates for the award must have a minimum GPA of 3.5, and must demonstrate leadership that goes above and beyond as an athlete.
“We are very excited to have one of our student-athletes represent the WSC and be nominated for this honor,” said Citrus College’s Dean of Physical Education and Athletics Jody Wise. “It speaks volumes for McNeil that he was able to accomplish what he did, while remaining a two-sport athlete.”
McNeil, who attended Citrus College from 2004-2006, was a member of the Men’s Water Polo team for the last two years. Along with Water Polo, McNeil was also a member of the Men’s Swim Team. “He played the game like he studied in school. It’s not a secret why guys like him excel in the classroom, they work hard,” said Head Men’s Water Polo Coach Stephen Smith. “He worked hard everyday in the classroom and in the water, they go hand in hand.” McNeil was also named a 1st team All-Western States Conference honoree his sophomore year for water polo.
During his time at Citrus, McNeil carried a 3.75 GPA while completing the honors program. “It’s quite an honor to be nominated,” McNeil said. “My eyes were on something bigger getting to a 4-year, and I’ve accomplished that goal it means a lot that I was nominated and that I made such an impact that someone would want to recognize me.”
Along with his duties on the water and in the classroom at Citrus, McNeil was also very involved in other avenues, participating in two honors societies. McNeil was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honors society, and was the Public Relations Chair Person for Alpha Gamma Sigma, the California honors society. “It was really hard to balance all of that, but I spent a lot of nights making sure that I took care of my responsibilities,” McNeil said. “I wanted to make sure that I made a presence where I went. There is no point of being involved if you are not going to make a difference and make your presence known.”
Since leaving Citrus, McNeil has enrolled at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and has remained in Honor Classes at his new institution. McNeil is majoring in Economics with a minor in Classical Civilizations. The winner of the award will be announced in the spring of 2007.