Record number of U SPORTS Academic All‑Canadians announced

Dalhousie University’s Department of Athletics & Recreation is pleased to announce that a record 134 student-athletes achieved U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian status during the 2019-20 season.

To qualify as an Academic All-Canadian, student-athletes must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.50 during the academic year while competing in a varsity sport at the AUS and U SPORTS level. That equates to 52% of the student-athletes that used eligibility while competing for the Tigers in the 2019-20 season.

In addition to excelling in the classroom, student-athletes spend a considerable amount of their time training and competing in their respective sports. They are also very active in the community, volunteering with dozens of charities and organizations, all while winning nine of a possible 16 AUS conference championships last season.

“Being a student-athlete is excellent preparation for life and leadership after university,” says President and Vice-Chancellor, Deep Saini. “Our U SPORTS Academic All-Canadians have demonstrated outstanding enthusiasm and commitment to their sport while also showing superior academic ability and dedication to community service. I congratulate them for their extraordinary accomplishments.”

Not only have these 134 student-athletes achieved a GPA of 3.50 or higher, but most have surpassed that number with the average GPA of the 2019-20 Academic All-Canadians coming in at 3.83.

“To be recognized as an Academic All-Canadian is one of the most prestigious honours a student-athlete can receive,” says Tim Maloney, Executive Director of Athletics & Recreation. “To have 52% of our varsity Tigers achieve this standard while winning nine AUS championships is something we can all take tremendous pride in.”

Their hard work and success both on and off the playing surface is typically celebrated at the annual Academic All-Canadian Luncheon in January each year. In lieu of the luncheon this year, a virtual celebration will take place in the New Year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.