Texas Southern Athletics' Department of Academic Enhancement has named Treasure Thompson of Women's Basketball and Jeremiah Barrera of Men's Cross Country as the Student-Athletes Of The Month for the month of November.
Student-athletes are chosen as athletes of the month based on their commitment to academic success, efforts towards class, attitude towards academic staff, and devotion to volunteerism and service to the surrounding community.
Thompson, a senior women's basketball student-athlete from Joliet, Ill. is a Communication Studies major. Her head coach, Vernette Skeete, had high words of praise when notified of Treasure's selection as the women's student-athlete of the month.
"Treasure is a tremendous gem and a relentless worker on and off the court," said Skeete. "Her fierceness and tenacity makes her an unmeasurable treasure and asset for our program."
Dominique Phillips, the Women's Basketball Athletic Academic Advisor, had nothing but great things to say regarding Treasure and her accomplishments.
"The qualities and character of Treasure can't be stifled," she said. "Whether it's assisting her peers with their assignments in study hall or keeping them on the right track, she is always a bright light. From the moment I met Treasure, I learned that she sees every challenge as an opportunity to get better. Rather than talk about her plan to work hard and improve Treasure simply acts. She's positive and realistic and brings a sense of hope to every situation. It has been a privilege to witness the growth that she has done academically since her first day at Texas Southern."
Barrera is sophomore Men's Cross Country student-athlete Arlington, Texas and a Sports Management major.
His head coach, Xavier Martinez, couldn't be prouder and more excited for his athlete when notified as coach knew that he truly deserved this honor.
"Jeremiah is a student-athlete that is resilient," said Martinez. "He will give his full efforts in whatever he wants to accomplish. Jeremiah is an exemplary student who keeps up with his schoolwork just as he does with his runs."
"Jeremiah has always had the talent on the track but now he has put that same effort and work ethic in the classroom," said his academic advisor Dominique Phillips. "He has shown growth and maturity each semester and has improved his time management and most importantly his communication with his teachers, coaches, and academic staff. When student-athletes put in the same effort in the classroom as they do in the sport, they start to see the bigger picture and he has now seen the light and it has clicked. We are very proud of his growth and looking forward to seeing him reach his goals and a third SWAC Championship."
"Student-Athletes have very demanding schedules as it is important to showcase them outside of the field/court," said Assistant Athletics Director/ Academic Enhancement Kimberly Evans. "Identifying Student-Athletes of the month is a great avenue to recognize our students for their hard work and improvements in the classroom."
