For information on the StudentsFirst Rewards Program, click here
The first CUNYAC StudentsFirst Rewards Program awards were given to the top attendees of CUNYAC Championship events last night during John Jay’s Homecoming. Taking home the top prize, free tuition, was Brooklyn’s Abayomi Elesho who racked up 100 points in the 2013 calendar year.
“This feels great,” said Abayomi Elesho. “I am going into my senior year with two semesters left and to have it paid for is great. What a great program.”
Elesho had never been to a CUNY sporting event prior to CUNYAC beginning the program in January
of this year but he certainly has enjoyed the experience.
“I had never been to any of the events before,” continued Elesho. “I saw a flyer and thought why not try to get something? I started going to events and really liked them. Even the non-Brooklyn games were fun.”
When asked what was his favorite event, Elesho showed his Brooklyn pride.
“My favorite event was the soccer finals at Brooklyn College. There was so much excitement in both games. It was a really great experience.”
The StudentsFirst Rewards Program began with the 2012-13 Swimming Championships. From the
beginning, it was intended to improve the overall championship experience by increasing student attendance and participation at athletic events. The program came about in a brainstorming session with conference staff and interns who had experienced similar programs at other institutions.
The rest of the top 10 included John Jay’s Hekmat Raslan, fellow Bloodhounds Anton Rekounov (Left) and Natalie Cervantes(Above), and Hunter’s Melissa Victorin (Below) who were in attendance to receive their prizes. Raslan took home a Hewlett Packard laptop (courtesy of the University Student Senate) while Rekounov earned a $500 MCU gift card, Cervantes snagged an iPad Mini, and Victorin received a $200 MCU gift card. MCU's Corey Fernandes was on hand to help give out all the prizes including MCU's gift cards.
“I’m happy that I went to the games and I plan on continuing to go and support my fellow student-athletes,” said Raslan.
“It is nice to receive something,” Rekounov exclaimed. “I did not know that this program existed. I was going to the events because they are fun to go to. I had to check to make sure it was real when I got an email saying I won something.”
When asked about his favorite championship, the graduate student said, “Definitely soccer. It was so competitive with such a big crowd. Very exciting.”
Cervantes exclaimed, “I really did not expect this. It is great to be taking something home but I really loved going to the events.”
On her favorite championship, “Soccer. So many people watching and cheering from both sides. The excitement was really great and the games were too.”
After receiving her prize, Victorin said “It is nice to get something for going to the events but I was going
anyway. The events are exciting!”
Her favorite championship, unsurprisingly, volleyball. “That atmosphere was outstanding and to see
Hunter in the championship was really exciting.”
Initially, the StudentsFirst Rewards were a calendar year effort; however, CUNYAC adjusted the program for the 2013-14 academic year. Those who attended fall championships received points for both the 2013 contest and the 2013-14 slate. The program led to record crowds at both the CUNYAC/Pepsi Women's Volleyball, CUNYAC/Applebee's Men's Soccer, and CUNYAC/Applebee's Women's Soccer Championships. Early success was evident throughout the first year but if fall proves to be a trend, there is more ahead for the remainder of 2013-14.
CUNYAC's StudentsFirst Rewards Top 10 Prizes and Recipients
1. Free Tuition for a Year (Abayomi Elesho, Brooklyn College)
2. Dell Laptop courtesy of CUNYAC (Toniann Donde, Baruch College)
3. HP Laptop courtesy of USS (Hekmat Raslan, John Jay)
4. $500 Gift Card courtesy of MCU (Anton Rekounov, John Jay)
5. Ipad mini courtesy of CUNYAC (Natalie Cervantes, John Jay)
6. $200 Gift Card courtesy of MCU (Melissa Victorin, Hunter)
7. Ipod Shuffle courtesy of CUNYAC (Nicole Flint, Baruch)
8. $50 Gift Card courtesy of Modell’s (Rocio Chavira, John Jay)
9. CUNYAC Gift Bag (Kalyssa Daley, John Jay)
10. CUNYAC Gift Bag (Makita Ellis, CCNY)