Not all brawn, these athletes have brain too.

The WAC recognized 12 SMU fall-sport athletes last week fortheir academic achievement.

Across the WAC 186 athletes received the All-Academic award.

“Tulsa and Rice had the largest number of athletes toreceive the award,” said Lisa Vad WAC AssistantCommissioner.

Four members of the SMU women’s volleyball and soccerteams, 3 from men’s cross- country and 1 from women’swere recognized. None of the football players received theaward.

To receive the award a student athlete must compete in half ofthe seasons scheduled events and have a GPA of 3.2 or higher.

“Twelve athletes in one season is average to high forSMU,” said Christina McMillan, athletic academicadministrative assistant.

Success comes both on the field and in the classroom for theseathletes.

“There really is no secret, you have to sit and study,”said Karin van Rooyen, a junior member of the cross countryand track team as well as 2003 WAC “player-ofthe-year.”

“For track and distance running you have to be able toconcentrate for a long time,” she said. That concentrationtransfers into the classroom as well.

SMU athletics is also currently ranked 7th in the NCAA forgraduation rates for student athletes.

The winter sports will be eligible for the award at the end oftheir season in March, and spring sports in July. Women’sEquestrian and Rowing are independent of the WAC.

Some information from www.smumustangs.com.