Two UM Student-Athletes Earn National Academic Honor

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami student-athletes Bianca Eichkorn and Emma Steppe have been named inaugural recipients of the 1A FAR Academic Excellence Award, an honor bestowed to 432 Division I Football Bowl Subdivision student-athletes.

Steppe graduated with a degree in physiology and participated in women’s track during her time at the University of Miami. The Ann Arbor, Mich. native participated in both indoor and outdoor track, competing in the 3,000 and 5,000 meter runs, as well as cross country in all three of her years as a Hurricane.

Eichkorn earned a degree in international finance and marketing and played tennis for the Hurricanes. The Tengen, Germany native was ranked No. 6 nationally in singles play and No. 5 in doubles play (alongside Anna Bartenstein) as a senior. She was also named the 2011 ACC Player of the Year and ITA Southeast Region Senior of the Year.

To earn the 1A FAR Academic Excellence Award, student-athletes must have graduated in the past academic year with at least a 3.80 cumulative grade-point average and have participated in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics at an FBS institution. Football student-athletes at FBS institutions that are independent in football were also eligible for the award.

The award was established by the 1A Faculty Athletics Representatives and was given to 432 student-athletes: 136 men and 296 women from 96 institutions. Twenty-two percent of the recipients majored in business-related fields, while 12 percent of the recipients majored in health-related fields.

A list of recipients − along with their institutions, sports and majors − can be found at the 1A FAR website.