OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. – Former
NYIT lacrosse student-athletes Derek O’Haire (Floral Park,
N.Y.) was selected by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) as a recipient of a Division II Degree Completion Award.
Because of this award, O’Haire was able to graduate in Dec.
2010 with a bachelor’s degree in childhood education.
“NCAA Division II lacrosse gave me the opportunity to balance
athletics and academics,” said O’Haire. “It was
an honor and a privilege to represent NYIT while winning the 2008
National Championship. As a recipient of this award, every day I
have been reminded of why I chose Division II.”
O’Haire played four seasons for the Bears, helping them to
their fourth NCAA Div. II National Championship in 2008. He
appeared in 29 career games for NYIT as a defender. He scored one
goal, dished out two assists and collected 13 career groundballs.
He scored his lone collegiate goal as a senior against East Coast
Conference foe and reigning National Champion C.W. Post on April 3,
2010.
The NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award Program has been
implemented to award deserving Division II student-athletes with
financial assistance to complete their undergraduate studies.
Candidates included students who have exhausted athletics
eligibility and have received athletics financial aid. The
selection process for the national award emphasized academic
performance, in addition to other factors as such as financial
circumstances, athletic achievement and involvement in campus and
community activities.
Provided by the NYIT Sports Information Department.
