The Kutztown University athletics department recognized 40 student-athletes on April 10 as a part of a new class of the Pennsylvania Alpha Omega Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma in the National College Athlete Honor Society. Among the honorees, who excel in both the classroom and competition, were basketball players Leila Hurley and Olivia Smelas, both of Jim Thorpe.

Chi Alpha Sigma was founded in 1996 by then DePauw University head football coach Nick Mourouzis. His goal was to provide outstanding student-athletes with an opportunity to become connected within a fraternal association that aligns their educational and athletic successes for a lifetime.

To be inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must attend a four-year accredited college or university that is a member of the NCAA, NAIA, USCAA or NCCAA. The honoree also must achieve at least junior academic standing by the fifth semester or seventh quarter, and must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade-point average of a 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.

Kutztown University, founded in 1866, offers students more than 130 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment.

For more information, visit www.kutztown.edu.