July 10, 2008

This is the final in a series of 16 features about Miami University's brightest student-athletes. Their exceptional academic performance during the recently completed spring semester earned them a spot on the roster of the RedHawks' exclusive Straight A Team. In addition to their rigorous schedules on the athletic fields, each of these individuals earned a perfect 4.0 grade-point average this past semester. Overall, during the 2007-08 academic year, Miami's 500-plus student-athletes earned an impressive cumulative 3.0 GPA in the classroom.

Coming out of high school, adjusting to life as a Miami University student-athlete isn't always easy. You've got to figure out how to survive in a dorm, how to make it through morning weights and two-a-day practices, and how to succeed in a 200-student large lecture class on Geology.

So when you look at the case of women's soccer player Brooke Livingston (Lisle, IL/Wheaton Warrensville South), who made the successful transition from Illinois prep standout to Miami starter, make sure you understand that winning a starting spot as a freshman and earning a 4.0 GPA isn't as easy as she made it look.

Livingston earned a perfect 4.0 GPA during the spring 2008 semester, and it was the second straight semester that she landed on Miami's Dean's List. Impressive? Definitely, considering that of Miami's 500-plus students-athletes, Livingston was one of only 16 with a 4.0 spring semester GPA. Unexpected? Perhaps not, as Livingston was a four-time academic all-conference performer in high school and graduated in the top 8 percent of her high school class.

On the field, Livingston earned a starting spot at the beginning of the season and made her first collegiate start in Miami's season-opening 5-1 win over Morehead State. All told, Livingston made eight starts, including the first seven games of the season, and appeared in 14 games. Livingston helped anchor a Miami defensive corps that held its opponents to one goal or less 10 times and posted four shutouts.

"Brooke is the consummate student-athlete," said head coach Bobby Kramig. "She excels in everything she does and is a great role model for all younger athletes interested in competing in college."

STRAIGHT A TEAM BIO
Name: Brooke Livingston
Hometown/HS: Lisle, IL/Wheaton Warrensville South
Year: Freshman
Major: Exercise Science
Spring Semester GPA: 4.0
Notables: Started the first seven games of her college career ... helped Miami to 6 wins in 2007 ... in her first career college game, helped Miami earn a 5-1 win over Morehead State.

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