CUNY Ayhletic Conference

Flushing, NY --- A biology and pre-med major, Aleksandr Kopach has excelled both in and out of the classroom at Kingsborough Community College over the last two years. A Dean’s List and Kingsborough Honors Program student, he boasts an outstanding grade point average of 3.95 in the classroom.

During the month of May, he added All-American track runner and CUNY Athletic Conference Community College Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year to his resume. He closes the books being honored as the CUNYAC / Hospital For Special Surgery Scholar-Athlete of the Month for May 2010.

As a runner, Kopach competes in all three seasons: cross country in the fall, indoor track and field in the winter, and outdoor track and field in the spring. In 2009, he won the CUNYAC Community College Men’s Cross Country individual championship. Despite sitting out the 2010 CUNYAC Outdoor Championship with tightness in his leg, his team still won the CUNYAC title. Kopach returned to the track the following week at the NJCAA Division III National Championships at Howard Community College in Maryland.

Kopach qualified for the 800 Meter final for the second year in a row with a time of 2:00.08. In the final two days later he struggled with his legs, taking eight (2:04.61), but he ran a leg of the Wave's 4 x 800 Meter Relay that win the silver medal with a team season-best 8:04.40 time.

“Aleksandr is a very disciplined athlete and student,” said KCC track coach Dave Loobie. “He’s an exceptionally hard worker. On trips he always has his head buried in his school books.”

When he joined the team at KCC, Kopach was entirely new to the sport, which makes what he’s achieved even more impressive. “He had not run track before college, so what he has accomplished in a short time is remarkable,” said Loobie. “His will, in terms of working hard, has really paid off.”

“I spent four years in the U.S. Army,” said Kopach. “I always ran in the Army, but not in terms of track. I went to Kingsborough to get an education. That they had a track team was a plus. I always liked being part of a team.”

Beyond KCC, Kopach intends to continue at Stony Brook University as a bio-chem/pre-med major. Once again, the fact that Stony Brook has a track team is a plus. “Oh yes, I’m hoping to continue running track, too,” he said.

Flushing, NY --- A two-time CUNYAC Baseball First Team All Star and a 2010 CUNYAC Champion, Steve Hession now adds a CUNY Athletic Conference / Hospital for Special Surgery Scholar Athlete of the Month for May 2010 to his list of achievements.

Majoring in Finance, Hession holds a 3. 489 grade point average. The sophomore centerfielder sees a future in law school and would like to become a corporate lawyer.

As for his success on the field, the Staten Island Tech High School product has been a vital part of the Dolphins line up. On May 1, Hession’s two-run double in the seventh inning extended the lead to help the Dolphins to a 14-8 victory in the CUNYAC title win over Baruch. With just four games in the month of May, the centerfielder totaled 13 at bats that included four hits, three RBI, three walks and a batting average of .308.

Closing the 2010 season, Hession finds himself amongst CSI’s all-time ranked players. As a sophomore he is ranked 11th in career records with a .443 on base percentage while ranking 13th in career records with .360 batting average. He also stands at the 12th spot in single season records for the year 2010 with 17 stolen bases.

“It’s nice to be recognized for my hard work on the field but to be recognized for my academics-that’s even better,” explained Hession on his achievement,” I have to thank my parents, my family and my coaches who have given me the opportunity to be where I am today and who have helped me succeed.”

Head Coach Mike Mauro was happy to hear of his outfielder’s accomplishment, “To be an athlete, a great one at that, and to also be great in the classroom is a rare combination. He works hard and really deserves this honor.”