Each term, Sun Devil Athletics' Office of Student-Athlete Development recognizes student-athletes who exemplify the Sun Devil Way in the classroom and in collegiate athletics as Student-Athletes of the Semester. The following four scholar-athletes received the honor for the 2023 fall semester. The words are straight from academic coach of each.
MOST IMPROVED MALE
Xavion Alford
"Xavion, who is from Pearland, Texas is in his redshirt junior year on the Sun Devil Football team. He is currently completing his degree in Liberal Studies, and will be graduating THIS Spring! Once he graduates, he will continue his last year of eligibility with the Sun Devils before pursuing his dreams in the NFL. When he came in 2022, Xavion struggled with school work. He finished his first semester with a poor GPA and struggled to find motivation in school. However, this fall, despite having several roadblocks and challenges, Xavion decided to focus his attention on school, and finished with his highest GPA this past fall semester! I am very proud of the man that Xavion has become, and excited to see where life takes him. Way to go Xavion!" - Kelli Benjamin, Academic Coach (Football, Men's Tennis)
MOST IMPROVED FEMALE
Donya Currie
"Although Donya is just a freshman on the Women's Track and Field team, it was a no-brainer to nominate her as Student Athlete of the Semester! Donya came into ASU with some doubters as to what she was capable of in the classroom. Based on our interactions and her demeanor, I [her academic coach] never had a doubt that she would be successful as a Kinesiology (BS) major at ASU. However, we still set her up with any and all resources to be successful, and she far exceeded those expectations. Right away Donya took charge of her academics from the major she was interested in and the classes she wanted to take. Working with her academic mentor, Donya never missed a session and was up here every morning with a smile on her face. As a result of her hard work and perseverance, Donya ended with a 3.53 semester GPA, Dean's list, and Scholar Athlete. Great job Donya and keep up the good work!" - Markisha Farrier, Academic Coach (Men's Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Women's Track & Field/Cross Country)
HIGH ACHIEVING MALE
Chance McLane
"Chance is a graduate transfer from Oklahoma State who wrestles for us at 165lbs for ASU. He is a leader in all aspects and is working on getting his Master's in Organizational Leadership while he looks to also hold up some wrestling hardware in March! Way to go Chance!" - Denzel Burrell, Associate Director Academic Coach
HIGH ACHIEVNG FEMALE
Isadora Sousa
"I am honored to nominate Izzy for Student-Athlete of the Semester. She deserves this award because of her hard work in the classroom along with her leadership and determination on the ASU Women's Basketball Team. Izzy has had five surgeries during her time at ASU but has never let it stop her. The Brazil-native finished her undergraduate degree in Urban Planning in 2023 and is currently working to finish her Master's in Project Management in the Spring of 2024. As she finishes her last year of college basketball, she's consistently proven herself to be an impact player in the starting lineup and is the true glue to ASU Women's Basketball." - Erica Rothkopf, Academic Coach (Triathlon, Lacrosse, Women's Basketball)
MOST IMPROVED MALE
Xavion Alford
"Xavion, who is from Pearland, Texas is in his redshirt junior year on the Sun Devil Football team. He is currently completing his degree in Liberal Studies, and will be graduating THIS Spring! Once he graduates, he will continue his last year of eligibility with the Sun Devils before pursuing his dreams in the NFL. When he came in 2022, Xavion struggled with school work. He finished his first semester with a poor GPA and struggled to find motivation in school. However, this fall, despite having several roadblocks and challenges, Xavion decided to focus his attention on school, and finished with his highest GPA this past fall semester! I am very proud of the man that Xavion has become, and excited to see where life takes him. Way to go Xavion!" - Kelli Benjamin, Academic Coach (Football, Men's Tennis)
MOST IMPROVED FEMALE
Donya Currie
"Although Donya is just a freshman on the Women's Track and Field team, it was a no-brainer to nominate her as Student Athlete of the Semester! Donya came into ASU with some doubters as to what she was capable of in the classroom. Based on our interactions and her demeanor, I [her academic coach] never had a doubt that she would be successful as a Kinesiology (BS) major at ASU. However, we still set her up with any and all resources to be successful, and she far exceeded those expectations. Right away Donya took charge of her academics from the major she was interested in and the classes she wanted to take. Working with her academic mentor, Donya never missed a session and was up here every morning with a smile on her face. As a result of her hard work and perseverance, Donya ended with a 3.53 semester GPA, Dean's list, and Scholar Athlete. Great job Donya and keep up the good work!" - Markisha Farrier, Academic Coach (Men's Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Women's Track & Field/Cross Country)
A huge congratulations is in order for our Student-Athletes of the Semester! These Sun Devils went above and beyond with their schoolwork while also excelling in their sport. Thank you for your hard work! #O2V @TheSunDevils @ASUFootball @ASUWrestling @SunDevilTFXC @SunDevilWBB pic.twitter.com/uPDThWxRSq
— Sun Devil OSAD (@SunDevil_OSAD) January 23, 2024
HIGH ACHIEVING MALE
Chance McLane
"Chance is a graduate transfer from Oklahoma State who wrestles for us at 165lbs for ASU. He is a leader in all aspects and is working on getting his Master's in Organizational Leadership while he looks to also hold up some wrestling hardware in March! Way to go Chance!" - Denzel Burrell, Associate Director Academic Coach
That extra effort from Chance McLane ??
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) January 21, 2024
?? ACC Network Extra pic.twitter.com/WccumQS6Ci
HIGH ACHIEVNG FEMALE
Isadora Sousa
"I am honored to nominate Izzy for Student-Athlete of the Semester. She deserves this award because of her hard work in the classroom along with her leadership and determination on the ASU Women's Basketball Team. Izzy has had five surgeries during her time at ASU but has never let it stop her. The Brazil-native finished her undergraduate degree in Urban Planning in 2023 and is currently working to finish her Master's in Project Management in the Spring of 2024. As she finishes her last year of college basketball, she's consistently proven herself to be an impact player in the starting lineup and is the true glue to ASU Women's Basketball." - Erica Rothkopf, Academic Coach (Triathlon, Lacrosse, Women's Basketball)