TEMPE, Ariz. -- Balancing academics with athletics is no problem for Jalen Harvey, C.J. Albertson, Fa Leilua and Jessica Raybe, as they are phenomenal on the field and in the classroom. Read more about the student-athletes of the month below:
Jalen Harvey | Football
Harvey enters his redshirt junior season after a solid 2016 performance. Last season, he caught 21 passes for 330 yards with 15.7 yards per catch average, easily leading the team among players with 15 or more receptions. He also had 14 of those receptions (66.7 percent) go for a first down, the highest percentage of catches for a first down on the team. Off the field, Harvey values his academics just as much as his athletic performance.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way?
"Just being able to have an opportunity to compete off the field when it comes to school. Also earning my degree is one of my biggest goals and making everybody in my family proud that I could also get it done not only on the field but off it."
What advice would you share with the Sun Devil Family to inspire others to commit to upholding Sun Devils graduate in their own lives?
"Make sure you give it your all if every aspect of your life!"
C.J. Albertson | Cross Country
Albertson has had a tremendous Sun Devil career. In his five years on campus, Albertson worked to earn both his Bachelors and Master's degree while juggling a perfect 4.00 GPA during his Bachelors degree and a near perfect GPA throughout his Master's program. On the track, he has certainly run his way into the record books as he is currently 8th All-Time at ASU in the mile and 6th All-Time in the steeplechase in outdoor track and for indoor track he is 1st All-Time in the 5k and 6th All-Time in the 3K.
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 time as a Sun Devil was both fun and rewarding. Throughout my Bachelors and Masters programs, as well as the ups and down that come with athletics, I've learned a lot and feel confident in starting my work career."
Fa Leilua | Softball
A sophomore on the softball team, Leilua has been a key contributor to the team's successful season. At the end of the semester, she led the team with thirteen long balls and closed out regular season play with eight hits in her last six games. For her efforts, Leilua was named to National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region First Team. Leilua also contributed to the team's academic success, recording her highest semester grade point average and challenging her teammates to earn "Scholar-Baller" honors. She exemplifies the Sun Devil Way on the field, in the classroom, and in the community with her contagious energy.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way in the classroom?
The thing that motivates me the most to an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way is the family atmosphere that ASU has built around us, to become successful in reaching one's goals.
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?
One word of advice I would give to the Sun Devil family is to live in the moment and never take any opportunity for granted because you'll never know [if] every moment might be your last.
Jessica Raybe | Soccer
Raybe is currently a junior on the women's soccer team who is majoring in Exercise and Wellness with a minor in Nutrition and Healthy Living, a certificate in Leadership, Ethics and Service, and is a member of Barrett Honors College. Throughout her three years at ASU she has truly embodied what it means to be a Sun Devil student-athlete. She has been a key contributor on the soccer field for 3 years while maintaining a 3.93 GPA.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way in the classroom?
What motivates me to commit to the Sun Devil way is to just constantly try and be the best version of myself in all that I do. I believe that there is always room for improvement so I am constantly motivated to push myself to achieve my maximum potential on the field and in the classroom. The academics piece is really important to me because at some point, even though I am dreading the day, sports will end and I want to be able to do what it takes in the classroom to prepare me for a future I will enjoy and be happy with.
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?
In order to uphold the Sun Devil way in your own lives I would advise you to just keep looking for opportunities to grow as an individual. We all love our sports and have worked to perfect our crafts, hence why we are at this top level college, but it is important to remember that balance is key and there are other areas to grow in, like academics. Keep pushing yourself and you will achieve everything you hope for!
Jalen Harvey | Football
Harvey enters his redshirt junior season after a solid 2016 performance. Last season, he caught 21 passes for 330 yards with 15.7 yards per catch average, easily leading the team among players with 15 or more receptions. He also had 14 of those receptions (66.7 percent) go for a first down, the highest percentage of catches for a first down on the team. Off the field, Harvey values his academics just as much as his athletic performance.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way?
"Just being able to have an opportunity to compete off the field when it comes to school. Also earning my degree is one of my biggest goals and making everybody in my family proud that I could also get it done not only on the field but off it."
What advice would you share with the Sun Devil Family to inspire others to commit to upholding Sun Devils graduate in their own lives?
"Make sure you give it your all if every aspect of your life!"
C.J. Albertson | Cross Country
Albertson has had a tremendous Sun Devil career. In his five years on campus, Albertson worked to earn both his Bachelors and Master's degree while juggling a perfect 4.00 GPA during his Bachelors degree and a near perfect GPA throughout his Master's program. On the track, he has certainly run his way into the record books as he is currently 8th All-Time at ASU in the mile and 6th All-Time in the steeplechase in outdoor track and for indoor track he is 1st All-Time in the 5k and 6th All-Time in the 3K.
Your Student-Athlete of the Semester, CJ Albertson!! #ForksUp ?????? pic.twitter.com/JuIW9a8Wvu
— Sun Devil TFXC (@SunDevilTFXC) July 31, 2017
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 time as a Sun Devil was both fun and rewarding. Throughout my Bachelors and Masters programs, as well as the ups and down that come with athletics, I've learned a lot and feel confident in starting my work career."
Fa Leilua | Softball
A sophomore on the softball team, Leilua has been a key contributor to the team's successful season. At the end of the semester, she led the team with thirteen long balls and closed out regular season play with eight hits in her last six games. For her efforts, Leilua was named to National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region First Team. Leilua also contributed to the team's academic success, recording her highest semester grade point average and challenging her teammates to earn "Scholar-Baller" honors. She exemplifies the Sun Devil Way on the field, in the classroom, and in the community with her contagious energy.
Huge congrats to @leilua18 on earning Student-Athlete of the Semester honors! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/iiUAGWasYm
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) July 31, 2017
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way in the classroom?
The thing that motivates me the most to an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way is the family atmosphere that ASU has built around us, to become successful in reaching one's goals.
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?
One word of advice I would give to the Sun Devil family is to live in the moment and never take any opportunity for granted because you'll never know [if] every moment might be your last.
Jessica Raybe | Soccer
Raybe is currently a junior on the women's soccer team who is majoring in Exercise and Wellness with a minor in Nutrition and Healthy Living, a certificate in Leadership, Ethics and Service, and is a member of Barrett Honors College. Throughout her three years at ASU she has truly embodied what it means to be a Sun Devil student-athlete. She has been a key contributor on the soccer field for 3 years while maintaining a 3.93 GPA.
What motivates you to have such an outstanding commitment to the Sun Devil Way in the classroom?
What motivates me to commit to the Sun Devil way is to just constantly try and be the best version of myself in all that I do. I believe that there is always room for improvement so I am constantly motivated to push myself to achieve my maximum potential on the field and in the classroom. The academics piece is really important to me because at some point, even though I am dreading the day, sports will end and I want to be able to do what it takes in the classroom to prepare me for a future I will enjoy and be happy with.
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?
In order to uphold the Sun Devil way in your own lives I would advise you to just keep looking for opportunities to grow as an individual. We all love our sports and have worked to perfect our crafts, hence why we are at this top level college, but it is important to remember that balance is key and there are other areas to grow in, like academics. Keep pushing yourself and you will achieve everything you hope for!