The Northeast Conference named St. Francis College graduated senior Katja Bavendam (Hambergen, Germany/Osterholz-Scharmbeck) its 2007-08 Women’s Scholar-Athletes of the Year. Bavendam, a women’s basketball player, receive the honor by virtue of her exceptional 4.00 grade-point averages (GPA).
The award, sponsored by the league’s Faculty Athletic Representatives, is bestowed upon NEC male and female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility, graduated, and have posted the highest GPA in the conference at the conclusion of the academic year.
“This honor caps off a tremendous year for us, both on and off the field,” said St. Francis College Athletic Director Irma Garcia. “Katja will be remembered as one of the finest student-athletes in the history of our program. She worked extremely hard both in the classroom and in her sport. We will certainly miss her and wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.”
St. Francis College has been home to at least one of the Scholar-Athlete of the Year honorees in each of the first two years of the award’s existence. Former Terriers Moran Stern and Andrija Vrodljak, who were both members of the St. Francis water polo and swim teams, shared the inaugural men’s award in 2007.
Bavendam, a native of Hambergen, Germany, completed her undergraduate studies in Information Technology with a perfect 4.00 GPA to receive her latest distinction. During her four-year career at St. Francis, Bavendam collected a wide array of honors for both her athletic and academic prowess. The tallest women’s basketball player in the NEC’s history at 6’8,” Bavendam was an all-NEC performer as a junior when she led the conference, and ranked sixth in the nation, with 3.2 blocks per game.
Bavendam also ranked amongst the conference’s top-10 in four other statistical categories (scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, and double-doubles). Her promising senior season, which began with a selection to the NEC Preseason All-Conference First Team, began late due to a knee injury, but Bavendam still managed to produce six double-double performances, including the 15 points and 11 rebounds she tallied against Long Island during the quarterfinal round of the NEC Tournament.
An eight-semester member of the Dean’s List, Bavendam was a member of the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Board and has participated in various community service projects as a member of the women’s basketball team.
St. Francis College is located at 180 Remsen Street in Brooklyn Heights.
