Major National, Conference, Institutional Academic Awards

 USA Today Academic Achievement Award
    In 2002 and again in 2003, Youngstown State University was one of 10 I-AA/I-AAA colleges and universities nationwide to be recognized as having the highest student-athlete graduation rate above the student-body average. Ranking seventh nationally in the category in 2002 and third nationwide in 2003, Youngstown State has received two awards as part of the USA Today/NCAA Foundation Academic Achievement Awards program. 2002 Release | 2003 Release

NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship (2)
    Following the 1995 football season, quarterback Mark Brungard was one of 29 football student-athletes to earn a $5,000 NCAA postgraduate scholarship following his Youngstown State career. Of the 29 football scholarships, 10 were awarded to Division I student-athletes, 10 were awarded to to Division II and III student-athletes and the remaining nine were awarded at large.
    Also, in 1986 former Penguins swimming standout Cathleen Marie Sipka earned a postgraduate scholarship from the NCAA.
    To qualify for an NCAA postgraduate scholarship, a student-athlete must have an overall grade-point average of 3.00 and must have performed with distinction as a member of the varsity team in the sport in which the student-athlete was nominated. The student-athlete must also intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree as a full-time graduate student. In addition, the student-athlete must have behaved, both on and off the field, in a manner that has brought credit to the student-athlete, the institution and intercollegiate athletics.

Burger King Scholar-Athlete Award (2)
    On Oct. 12, 1998, Youngstown State defensive back Anthony Pannunzio (Canfield, Ohio) was named a Burger King Corporation Division I-AA College Football Scholar-Athlete of the Week. On Oct. 30, 1999, YSU quarterback Jared Zwick was named a Burger King Corporation Division I-AA College Football Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
    With the honor, a check for $10,000 was donated to the Youngstown State University general scholarship fund in the names of Pannunzio and Zwick for their outstanding athletic and academic achievements and his commitment to the Youngstown community.
    Each week throughout the season, the Burger King Corporation will name eight scholar-athlete award winners and donate $10,000 to the general scholarship fund of each scholar athlete's school in the name of the athlete.