Feb. 16, 2007

Providence, R.I. - Senior track and field captain, Drew Eckman, has been named the 2006-07 Big East/Aéropostale Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. This award recognizes student-athletes who excel on the field, as well as in the classroom. The league's Academic Affairs Committee selected Eckman from a total of 16 student-athletes nominated from the 10 Big East men's sports and will grant him a $4,000 scholarship to be used towards graduate or professional studies.

As a biology major, Eckman hopes to attend dental school after graduation to continue his studies. He currently boasts a cumulative grade point average of 3.618 and is a three-time Big East Academic All-Star. He has also garnered regional Academic All-America honors and has attained a spot on the Dean's List for every one of his semesters at Villanova. In addition, the Oxford, Pa. native is an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor Society for pre-med and pre-dental students.

Eckman's success on the track is similar that in the classroom. The senior standout has left his mark on the Big East Conference in both the indoor and outdoor realms. In his 2005 and 2006 indoor campaigns, Eckman won Big East titles in the 500m and 4x400m respectively. His outdoor accomplishments prove to be much of the same. In the 2006 conference championship meet, his relay team captured the title in the 4x400m. Eckman is also a three-time defending outdoor conference champion in the 400IH, as well as a two-time All-American in the Indoor DMR. Due to his efforts, Villanova has accumulated third-place finishes in the DMR at the 2004 and 2006 NCAA Indoor Championships.

"We are thrilled for him," says head coach Marcus O'Sullivan. "Drew is an extremely professional young man both on the track and in the classroom. Our entire staff is very proud of all his accomplishments and feels as though he truly epitomizes the spirit of the scholar-athlete."

Eckman utilizes his spare time by working with community programs at Villanova. He is a valuable volunteer for the university Special Olympics and Adopt-a-Family programs. He also gives back to the Villanova track and field program by working as a counselor for the school's summer camp.