Santa Clara was one of just 11 Division I men's basketball programs with four or more student-athletes honored on the prestigious National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court named Tuesday. Only Santa Clara and Pepperdine were recognized on the Honors Court from the West Coast Conference with 348 Division I basketball programs competing in 2010-11.
The four named to the NABC Honor Court from Santa Clara include the following:
Name Year Major
Phillip Bach JR Finance
Marc Trasolini JR Finance
Michael Santos SR Management
Nate Mensah SR Finance
"I am extremely proud of our NABC Honors Court members. We take great pride in a time management system and team effort in the classroom that is keyed by an individual effort which is showing great results," said Bronco head coach Kerry Keating. "Congrats to Marc, Phil, Mike and Nate and the rest of the Honors Court. It is yet another testament to the academic strength of Santa Clara and the diligence of our team to represent in a first class manner, on and off the court!"
Trasolini, the team's leading rebounder and shot blocker and second-leading scorer, is a two-time member of the Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team – the only WCC player to make the list the past two years.
Eight Bronco men's basketball players were honored recently on the WCC Commissioner's List, recognizing those with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or better. All four of Santa Clara's seniors graduated in June and did so with 3.0+ cumulative grade point averages. The 2011 senior class included Ben Dowdell, Michael Santos, Troy Payne and Nate Mensah.
The Honors Court recognized the collegiate basketball student-athletes who excelled in academics during the 2010-11 season. The Honors Court recognizes the talents and gifts that these men possess off the court, and the hard work they exhibit in the classroom. In order to be named to the Honors Court, an athlete must meet a high standard of academic criteria. The qualifications are as follows:
1. Academically a junior or senior and a varsity player.
2. Cumulative G.P.A. of 3.2 or higher at the conclusion of the 2010-11 academic year.
3. Students must have matriculated at least one year at their current institution.
4. Member of an NCAA Division I, II, III, or NAIA Institution.
