GCSU's Chandler Named Academic All-American

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Georgia College & State University junior pitcher Mandy Chandler (Covington, Ga.) was given more evidence of her skills as a complete student-athlete, as she was named to the College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA)/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Third Team. The junior righty adds this academic honor to her Daktronics Second Team All-American nod for on-the-field work.

Chandler owns a 3.66 cumulative GPA in marketing at Georgia College, with interest in a career in sports marketing or pharmaceutical sales.

Chandler was an All-Peach Belt Conference (PBC) selection for the third time this season, also picking up all-tournament team selections for both the PBC playoffs and the NCAA South Atlantic Regional. She earned a first-team all-region nod from both the National Fastpitch coaches Association and Daktronics, turning the latter honor into her first All-American trophy May 19.

The Academic All-America honor is the first in the history of Lady Bobcat softball, as Chandler was just the second all-district honoree, after Joni Frei made the first team in 2003. The program is voted upon by the nation’s sports information directors.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports.