View the CoSIDA release

PHILADELPHIA – Junior Kelsey Haycook and graduate student Jourdan McVicker have been named Capital One Academic All-Americans, CoSIDA announced Tuesday. Haycook earned second-team status while McVicker was named to the third team. La Salle was one of only three schools in the nation to have more than one recipient to gain the recognition.

"We were so proud to hear that both Jourdan and Kelsey received the distinguished honor of Academic All-Americans," head coach Paul Royal said. "Jourdan and Kelsey been some of the most talented players ever to put on an Explorer jersey, but more importantly, they've shown the future student-athletes what great things come from the purity of hard work, investment in your teammates, and a full commitment to a quality overall lifestyle."

Haycook, a first-team all-Atlantic 10 choice, led the Explorers with 41 points (15 goals, 11 assists) this season. She finished the year tied for first in the Atlantic 10 in points, second in goals, and fourth in assists. Just a junior, Haycook is already tied for first in La Salle history with 40 career goals and third in points with 99.

The Point Pleasant Boro product was named to the A-10 Academic All-Conference team on November 6 and was named CoSIDA Academic All-District on November 1. Haycook was also a NSCAA All-American as a freshman. She carries a 3.81 GPA as a nutrition major.

McVicker has been an invaluable member of the Explorer midfield during her career, as La Salle has compiled a 52-11-7 record in games she has started. Her defensive presence has helped anchor La Salle's backfield which has given up only 54 goals over its last 78 games (.69 goals/game).

The Mutuchen, N.J. native was named A-10 Academic All-Conference and CoSIDA Academic All-District in back-to-back seasons. She posted a 3.91 GPA as an undergraduate student and carries a 3.67 GPA in her graduate work (MBA). She is a member of Betta Gamma Sigma, an international business society which targets the top business students in the country.  

Senior Renee Washington and recent graduate Gabrielle Pakhtigian both earned Academic All-America status in 2012, making La Salle the only school in the country to have at least four combined winners over the last two years. Melissa Sanger earned the nod in 2011 and is now an assistant on Royal's staff. 

"Following such great academic leaders as Gabby (Pakhtigian), Renee (Washington), and Melissa (Sanger), it is a special group to be part of," Royal said. "It demonstrates that when you're fully invested and committed -- anything is possible."

Dating back to 1972, La Salle University has placed 33 student-athletes on one of the three Academic All-America teams.
 
To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 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.