TEMPE, Ariz. - These four Sun Devils shine on the baseball and softball fields as well as in the classroom. Read more about the student-athletes of the month below.
Marisa Stankiewicz | Softball
Marisa Stankiewicz, a redshirt junior on the Softball team, will complete her BS in Exercise and Wellness in four years and will continue in a Master's degree for her last year of eligibility. After earning scholar-athlete honors in the Fall semester, Marisa is currently doing an internship with a physical therapist and is a key contributor on her team. Marisa has demonstrated daily a commitment to being a Sun Devil.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way?
"Some things that motivate me to the Sun Devil Way, would be that I want to succeed in all aspects of life, and performing and committing to the sun devil way enables me to go above and beyond what is expected."
What advice would you share with the Sun Devil Family to inspire others to commit to upholding Sun Devils graduate in their own lives?
"Some advice that I would give would be to commit yourself even when you don't feel like it. It will turn you into a hardworking person in life and on the field. So, even when you feel like waiting to do your homework or putting off studying, remember what you are really trying to accomplish in life."
Eli Lingos | Baseball
Eli is a left-handed pitcher majoring in Finance at the WP Carey School of Business. He originally committed to Indiana and later decided to come to ASU due to the changes in coaching staff. His favorite Sun Devil of all-time is Barry Bonds. He is following in his brother's footsteps when it comes to playing college baseball because he has had the biggest impact on his baseball career. As a freshman he threw 19.2 innings across 15 appearances, the most among freshmen pitchers and notched a 5.03 ER with 18 strikeouts and eighth walks. As a sophomore he made 35 appearances including 12 starts and notched a 3-5 record with a 4.50 ERA while striking out 50 and walking 26 in 64 innings.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way in the classroom?
"My biggest motivation to dedicating myself to the Sun Devil Way is success. I have a drive to succeed in all aspects of my life, on the field and off. I feel it really shows ones character when you are hardworking in all that you do and always try to be the best."
What advice would you share with the Sun Devil Family to inspire others to commit to upholding Sun Devils graduate in their own lives?
"My advice for my fellow Sun Devil family is to is know that you are always representing something more than just yourself. It is important to realize that how You act reflects on your family, team, and school."
Gage Canning | Baseball
Gage chose ASU because he thought it was a good fit and also really likes the area. Outside of baseball he considers himself good at bowling and enjoys long boarding. His parents have had the biggest influence on his baseball career so far because they have always gotten him to where he has needed to be. His goals for his baseball career include winning a national championship while at ASU and making it to the MLB. Gage wants to graduate with at least a 3.0 GPA and find a job that he really enjoys outside of baseball. As a freshman, Gage was Pac-12 All-Conference, Honorable Mention, he appeared in 57 games, including 55 starts, all in the outfield, and he recorded a .269 average, including six doubles, a team-high six triples and three home runs with 26 RBI and 28 runs scored.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way in the classroom?
"Some things that keep me motivated and committed to the Sun Devil Way are my desire to be the best I can be at whatever I'm doing if it's baseball, school or even my family."
What advice would you share with the Sun Devil family to inspire others to commit to upholding the Sun Devil Way in their own lives?
"Some advice that I would give is to always have a goal in mind and never doubt your own capabilities. Even if you might think that your goal is far fetched you never know unless you try."
Sashel Palacios | Softball
Sashel Palacios, a senior leader on the Softball team, will complete her BS in Family and Human Development in four years with a minor in Sociology. She was named Pac-12 Player of the Week on March 28th and three days later was awarded the NCAA Ethnic Minority Graduate Scholarship. Sashel lives the Sun Devil Way in all she does.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way in the classroom?
"Starting my freshman year, I really bought in to the "Sun Devil Way" and knew that Arizona State was a special place to be. I'm constantly striving to be the best on the field and in the classroom. As a student-athlete, I feel like it's my responsibility to be the best role model to the younger generation Sun Devils. Now as a senior, I have reaped the benefits of all the hard work that I have put in on and off the field. All the support staff, whether it be my coaches or Shay, have helped me excel both academically and athletically at this University. For example, I will graduate this Spring and I will pursue my Master's in Higher and Postsecondary Education starting in the Fall of 2017. Proud to be a Sun Devil for life!!"
What advice would you share with the Sun Devil family to inspire others to commit to upholding the Sun Devil Way in their own lives?
"My advice to my Sun Devil Family would be to live life PASSIONATELY and WHOLEHEARTEDLY. I have enjoyed every single moment at this university, and I would do anything to do it all over again. Being a student-athlete is not easy, but it's worth all the hours of practicing and studying. Competing on the field alongside my Sun Devil sisters, will be memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life."
3.12: Average cumulative GPA for all student-athletes
9: Number of semesters with cumulative GPA above 3.0
64%: Portion of student-athletes that achieve a semester or cumulative GPA of 3.0
3.34: Average cumulative GPA for female student-athletes
2.96: Average cumulative GPA for male student-athletes
Marisa Stankiewicz | Softball
Marisa Stankiewicz, a redshirt junior on the Softball team, will complete her BS in Exercise and Wellness in four years and will continue in a Master's degree for her last year of eligibility. After earning scholar-athlete honors in the Fall semester, Marisa is currently doing an internship with a physical therapist and is a key contributor on her team. Marisa has demonstrated daily a commitment to being a Sun Devil.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way?
"Some things that motivate me to the Sun Devil Way, would be that I want to succeed in all aspects of life, and performing and committing to the sun devil way enables me to go above and beyond what is expected."
What advice would you share with the Sun Devil Family to inspire others to commit to upholding Sun Devils graduate in their own lives?
"Some advice that I would give would be to commit yourself even when you don't feel like it. It will turn you into a hardworking person in life and on the field. So, even when you feel like waiting to do your homework or putting off studying, remember what you are really trying to accomplish in life."
Eli Lingos | Baseball
Eli is a left-handed pitcher majoring in Finance at the WP Carey School of Business. He originally committed to Indiana and later decided to come to ASU due to the changes in coaching staff. His favorite Sun Devil of all-time is Barry Bonds. He is following in his brother's footsteps when it comes to playing college baseball because he has had the biggest impact on his baseball career. As a freshman he threw 19.2 innings across 15 appearances, the most among freshmen pitchers and notched a 5.03 ER with 18 strikeouts and eighth walks. As a sophomore he made 35 appearances including 12 starts and notched a 3-5 record with a 4.50 ERA while striking out 50 and walking 26 in 64 innings.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way in the classroom?
"My biggest motivation to dedicating myself to the Sun Devil Way is success. I have a drive to succeed in all aspects of my life, on the field and off. I feel it really shows ones character when you are hardworking in all that you do and always try to be the best."
What advice would you share with the Sun Devil Family to inspire others to commit to upholding Sun Devils graduate in their own lives?
"My advice for my fellow Sun Devil family is to is know that you are always representing something more than just yourself. It is important to realize that how You act reflects on your family, team, and school."
Gage Canning | Baseball
Gage chose ASU because he thought it was a good fit and also really likes the area. Outside of baseball he considers himself good at bowling and enjoys long boarding. His parents have had the biggest influence on his baseball career so far because they have always gotten him to where he has needed to be. His goals for his baseball career include winning a national championship while at ASU and making it to the MLB. Gage wants to graduate with at least a 3.0 GPA and find a job that he really enjoys outside of baseball. As a freshman, Gage was Pac-12 All-Conference, Honorable Mention, he appeared in 57 games, including 55 starts, all in the outfield, and he recorded a .269 average, including six doubles, a team-high six triples and three home runs with 26 RBI and 28 runs scored.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way in the classroom?
"Some things that keep me motivated and committed to the Sun Devil Way are my desire to be the best I can be at whatever I'm doing if it's baseball, school or even my family."
What advice would you share with the Sun Devil family to inspire others to commit to upholding the Sun Devil Way in their own lives?
"Some advice that I would give is to always have a goal in mind and never doubt your own capabilities. Even if you might think that your goal is far fetched you never know unless you try."
2-for-4 (.500) isn't bad, is it? ??
— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) April 27, 2017
Congratulations to @gagecanning AND @elingos15 on being 2 of the 4 total student-athletes of the month! pic.twitter.com/XjK7uRk7bC
Sashel Palacios | Softball
Sashel Palacios, a senior leader on the Softball team, will complete her BS in Family and Human Development in four years with a minor in Sociology. She was named Pac-12 Player of the Week on March 28th and three days later was awarded the NCAA Ethnic Minority Graduate Scholarship. Sashel lives the Sun Devil Way in all she does.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way in the classroom?
"Starting my freshman year, I really bought in to the "Sun Devil Way" and knew that Arizona State was a special place to be. I'm constantly striving to be the best on the field and in the classroom. As a student-athlete, I feel like it's my responsibility to be the best role model to the younger generation Sun Devils. Now as a senior, I have reaped the benefits of all the hard work that I have put in on and off the field. All the support staff, whether it be my coaches or Shay, have helped me excel both academically and athletically at this University. For example, I will graduate this Spring and I will pursue my Master's in Higher and Postsecondary Education starting in the Fall of 2017. Proud to be a Sun Devil for life!!"
What advice would you share with the Sun Devil family to inspire others to commit to upholding the Sun Devil Way in their own lives?
"My advice to my Sun Devil Family would be to live life PASSIONATELY and WHOLEHEARTEDLY. I have enjoyed every single moment at this university, and I would do anything to do it all over again. Being a student-athlete is not easy, but it's worth all the hours of practicing and studying. Competing on the field alongside my Sun Devil sisters, will be memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life."
SUN DEVIL ATHLETICS ACADEMICALLY BY THE NUMBERS (AS OF START OF 2017 SPRING SEMESTER)Congrats to Palacios & Stankiewicz who have earned Student Athlete of the Month honors for success on the diamond and in the classroom! ?????? pic.twitter.com/Hd12Cj3mKZ
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) April 27, 2017
3.12: Average cumulative GPA for all student-athletes
9: Number of semesters with cumulative GPA above 3.0
64%: Portion of student-athletes that achieve a semester or cumulative GPA of 3.0
3.34: Average cumulative GPA for female student-athletes
2.96: Average cumulative GPA for male student-athletes