June 4, 2012

The Office of Student-Athlete Development has announced the student-athletes of the Spring semester here at Arizona State! Those sports with a representative on the list include baseball, volleyball, women's basketball, men's track & field, wrestling, softball and football.

Mercedes Binns - Volleyball
A freshman from South Pasadena, California, Mercedes Binns came to ASU at the start of the Spring 2012 semester. Mercedes worked very hard to meet the admission requirements at ASU and had a few setbacks once she began the semester. She was either injured or sick for the entire first month of school and would not always attend her study hall sessions. However, as the semester progressed so did Mercedes. She put in many hours in the lab and her grades improved significantly. When the semester was over, Mercedes posted all A's and B's in her classes and finished with a semester GPA of 3.53. This GPA is by far the best GPA that Mercedes has posted in her academic career.

Deven Marrero - Baseball
Deven Marrero is currently a junior on the ASU Baseball team here at ASU and is the starting shortstop. Deven is a criminal justice major and currently maintains a 3.51 cumulative GPA. He has been relentless in his academic pursuit and has overcome a number of personal obstacles throughout the past four years. After struggling academically in high school, in Deven's three years at ASU he has never earned below a 3.26 semester GPA. In addition to his academic and athletic success, Deven leads the team in his community service efforts participating in a number of events this year including volunteering at the Phoenix Children's Hospital, visiting 3 elementary schools, United Airlines Fantasy Flight, and volunteering at an after-school baseball skills and tutoring program. Deven played summer league ball in Cape Cod this past year as well and volunteered in Boston at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute visiting patients and at the Pan-Mass bike ride which raises money for cancer research. Deven epitomizes what it means to live the Sun Devil Way!

Haley Parsons - Basketball
Haley Parsons, Women's Basketball, has exemplified The Sun Devil Way throughout the Spring 2012 semester. Winning in the classroom, being relentless in her sport, serving others and the community, Haley is now a Sun Devil for life. Overcoming a concussion during the season, Haley remained engaged with her team and practices doing what she was permitted to do, giving her best, and supporting her teammates 100%. She kept up with her coursework, worked with her instructors, and will graduate with Summa Cum Laude honors having maintained a 4.00 cumulative grade point average. Haley also did community service and completed over 300 internship hours, positively impacting those she assisted throughout the semester. Haley's enthusiasm, sincerity, and grateful attitude have been the Sun Devil model as a student-athlete.

Lindon Voglezon - Track & Field
Lindon Voglezon is a javelin thrower on the men's track & field team. As a transfer student-athlete, Lindon wasn't sure if he would be able to compete this spring due to his transfer status last fall. He came to ASU by way of Riverside Community College and has funded school through his own financial means, independent of any family support. He competed unattached during the men's track & field outdoor season and worked really hard to complete 18 credits in back-to-back semesters. He averaged 15+ hours/ week in study hall, putting in 20 hours most weeks and finished the spring with his highest ever semester GPA of a 3.50. Regardless of his misfortunate Lindon always puts his best foot forward and despite losing his NCAA appeal and hopes of wearing a Sun Devil uniform, Lindon still bleeds maroon & gold. He always shows up with a smile and great attitude, ready to work hard. Lindon embodies a true Sun Devil and is looking forward to pursuing a career in Fire Fighting after graduation this fall.

Honorable Mention

Codey Combs - Wrestling
Codey made the move across the country to join our Sun Devil family in the spring semester. He is a young man that has taken full advantage of the opportunity presented to him to be a Division I student-athlete. He has done everything the staff has asked for and put full trust that they have nothing but his best interests in mind. Codey has attended every study session and met every requirement academically. He has shown strong initiative in taking ownership of his academics and having pride in his progress and accomplishments in the classroom. Codey will do great things during his time at Arizona State.

Darin Gillies - Baseball
After struggling academically in the fall 2011 semester, Darin Gillies turned things around and earned a personal best 3.50 semester GPA, raising his cumulative GPA to a 3.33. Athletically Darin is a freshman on the ASU Baseball team and has seen some time this year as the Sunday starting pitcher, which is a great accomplishment for a true freshman. Darin was committed this semester to his academics and went above and beyond his required study hall hours to ensure that he was successful in all of his courses.

Keelan Johnson - Football
After a chaotic 2011 football season in which the team ended on a sour note, Keelan pledged that he would do better in every aspect of his life to improve his performance. Staying true to his word, Keelan finished the spring semester with a 3.07 GPA, earning scholar baller status for the first time in his career. As one of the leaders of the team, Keelan has been trying to establish a new sense of pride amid changes to the football program. This new found passion was the driving force behind Keelan's academic success. Keelan's drive to compete with passion and character has been an inspiration to his fellow teammates.

Brandon Magee - Football
Brandon had a great semester in the classroom this past spring, but more notably spent all of his free time at Frank Elementary School and several other elementary schools around the valley. He and other student-athletes would spend every Wednesday morning at Frank School running and participating in other activities with the kids in addition to helping coordinate a health fair for the students and their families. He participated in four Sparky's tours and spoke to students at other schools about the importance of an education. Brandon is on track to graduate in December and wants to do an internship in some form of media - either as a reporter or writer, chronicling his experiences as a student-athlete. With his success on the football field, in the classroom and in the community he will definitely have a lot to say!

Mackenzie Popescue - Softball
Mackenzie is a redshirt sophomore and pitcher on the World Series bound softball team. Mackenzie posted her highest term GPA during a semester which is extremely demanding both academically and athletically. Her 3.93 is a personal best in the classroom as she successfully juggled a challenging course load in Exercise and Wellness. Mackenzie exhibited the qualities of a finisher not only in the classroom, but as she accepted her role on a talent-filled pitching staff. There is no one better to have in the bullpen than someone with the mentality and skillset that Mackenzie brings to the table.