CHARLOTTE, N.C.  - The Big South Conference placed 1,394 out of 3,043 student-athletes - 45.8 percent -- on its prestigious annual Presidential Honor Roll list for the 2009-10 academic season, it was announced today by Big South Conference Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander.  To be named to the Presidential Honor Roll, student-athletes must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better for the recently-completed academic year.  The 45.8 percentage marks the highest percentage since 2003 and is the sixth-straight year above the 40 percent threshold.

Radford University led all Big South institutions, placing 58.3 percent of its 242 student-athletes on the Presidential Honor Roll -- one of five full-time members to have at least 50 percent on the list.  High Point University placed 57.4 percent of its 202 student-athletes on the list, while UNC Asheville had 55.6 percent of its 169 student-athletes among the honorees.  Winthrop University was the fourth member with at least 50 percent, placing 53.4 percent of its 262 student-athletes on the annual listing, while Presbyterian College had 51.3 percent of its 306 student-athletes with at least a 3.0 GPA for the 2009-10 academic year. The Blue Hose were represented by at least one member on all 16 teams. Overall, PC had 157 student-athletes named to the list.

"The Big South Conference has always taken a lot of pride in the academic accomplishments of its student-athletes," said Kallander.  "To have nearly half of all student-athletes make the Presidential Honor Roll for the sixth consecutive year is a reflection of the outstanding individuals in the Conference and their priorities.  We are all extremely proud of the achievements of these fine young men and women."

The school-by-school listing of the Big South's Presidential Honor Roll is attached to this release, while a sport-by-sport listing is available on the Conference's Website, www.BigSouthSports.com.