Note: Fairfield University Athletics is celebrating the accomplishments of 2012 by highlighting the top 12 stories of the calendar year. Each morning through December 31, a new highlight will be posted on this web site with the top story being listed on New Year's Eve. We hope you enjoy looking back on another exciting year of Stags sports. For the complete list of top stories, click here.

Number three on the Fairfield Athletics “12 for '12” countdown is the tremendous success that Fairfield student-athletes attained in the classroom.  Highlighting the Stags academic achievements were the men's golf, men's cross country and women's cross country teams which were honored with the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for finishing in the top 10 percent in the Academic Progress Rate (APR).

In the Spring 2012 semester nearly 60 percent, 242, of Fairfield student-athletes achieved at least a 3.0 grade point average, with 117 being named to the University's Dean's List. In addition, 146 student-athletes, across the 18 Stag sports in the MAAC, earned Academic Honor Roll status for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better over at least two semesters at the University. Men's Lacrosse had five players named to the ECAC Academic All-Conference Team, highlighted by Charlie Cipriano earning USILA Scholar All-America recognition.  In February, five Stag field hockey players were honored with selection to the NFHCA Division I National Academic Team and Marit Westenberg earned one of six America-East Scholar Athlete awards.