Gagnon Receives Elite 89 Award for Academic Excellence

Potsdam, NY - Clarkson University senior Vanessa Gagnon (St. Constant, QUE) is the recipient of the Elite 89 award for the 2014 NCAA Division I Women's Hockey Championship.

A fourth year graduate student at Clarkson, Gagnon finished her undergraduate degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship during her junior year with a 3.95 and is currently one of only two students to maintain a perfect 4.0 in Clarkson's MBA program. She is also pursuing an additional certification in environmental management. Gagnon was presented with the award during the Championship Banquet on Thursday evening in Hamden, CT. Gagnon was also named the ECAC Hockey Student Athlete of the Year earlier this season.

Winner of the ECAC Hockey Best-Defensive Forward award this season, Gagnon has excelled on both ends of the ice. Boasting a +41 plus/minus rating for the season, the Assistant Captain has tallied 17 goals and 13 assists on the year. The forward has also won 64% of draws this season.

The Elite 89, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 89 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.

Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and a designated member of the squad size at the championship. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.

For more information on the Elite 89 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite89.

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