May 1, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - Capping a storied playing career at the University of Dayton, senior Rob Chappell earned a spot on the 2009 Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team.

Chappell, a four-time member of the Dean's List, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in accounting.

"It's exciting to be a part of such a special group who work well on the course and in the classroom," said Chappell. "I've worked really hard, even after having a rough spring. It's nice to be recognized by the other A-10 schools and the conference."

During his four years at UD, Chappell was a Presidential Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Nominee for the University of Dayton and recorded a 3.44 cumulative grade point average.

Chappell has enjoyed one of the most decorated careers in UD men's golf history. The Cincinnati native is a two-time, First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection, a four-time team Most Valuable Player, the 2008 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, 2006 A-10 Rookie of the Year and a qualifier at the 2008 U.S. Amateur Championship.

Although Chappell still has aspirations to play golf professionally, he has already begun taking classes working toward a Master's in Business Administration.

"It's a very well deserved honor," said head coach Chris Hale. "He's worked hard his entire career on the golf course and in the classroom. Rob is a quality person, a great golfer and even more stellar academically."

It's been a while since the Flyers had an Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team selection. Adam Meyers in 2004 was the last Flyer golfer to earn the honor.

Other UD golfers in the program's history to be selected to the all-academic team include A.J. Quinter in 2003, Matt Pagnatto in 1999 and 2000, Robert Hayes and Jeremy Schmidt in 1997 and Dwayne Kotera in 1996.

Chappell is joined on the Academic All-Conference team by Charlotte's Corey Nagy and Stefan Wiedergruen; Brennan Payne of St. Bonaventure; and Rhode Island's Mark Stevens.

The unprecedented competitive success of UD's student-athletes on the field of play is matching similar academic success. In fact, the Flyers have never performed better in the classroom.

University of Dayton student-athletes carry a combined cumulative grade point average of 3.229. Nearly two-thirds have a GPA above 3.0, and just over a third were on the Dean's List last semester. In fact, 10 of the Flyers' sixteen teams have a combined GPA higher than the general student population.

"It shows how much UD cares about the student-athletes," Hale said. "The academic support is always there to help the kids. When you have a great school and a great individual who has a great work ethic, it shows Rob's honor is well-deserved."