May 5, 2009

One of the University of Dayton's top rowers received some recognition for her efforts away from the water.

Senior Allison Gates has been named to the 2009 Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team. Earlier this year Gates earned a First-Team, All-Atlantic 10 selection.

"She is a great representative of the top tier of our team and our speed is reflected by her efforts," said head coach Derek Copeland. "Over the past couple of years she got 25 seconds faster and really improved the focus and dedication of the team by her work ethic and passion."

Gates broke the program's records on the rowing machine and in the weight room. Her development on the water helped the Flyers finish in fourth overall at the 2009 Atlantic 10 Women's Rowing Championship as Gates was a member of the Varsity 8 boat.

In her Flyer career, Gates was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team in 2008, won a bronze medal in Novice 8 boat at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Conference regatta and placed eighth in the 2007 Dad Vail regatta as part of the Varsity 8 boat, the highest the team has placed at that event in that category.

A seven-time member of the Dean's List, Gates showcases a 4.0 cumulative grade point average. She recently graduated with a degree in Sport Management.

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.

The voting was conducted among the conference's sports information directors. To be eligible, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and be an important part of the team.