David Ledet Named Northeast Conference Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete

12/15/04 -- Long Island University senior defender David Ledet (New Orleans, La.) today was named the Northeast Conference Men’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete.

A double major in English and Political Science, Ledet carries a 3.88 grade-point average. Avidly interested in politics, the senior member of the University Honors Program recently was awarded a fellowship with the Center for the Study of the Presidency. The center is a exclusive non-resident educational initiative which offers 65 select undergraduate and graduate students from leading colleges and universities, a year-long opportunity to study the U.S. Presidency. In addition, the fellowship will focus on the public policymaking process and the President’s relationships with Congress, allies, the media and the American public.

This past summer, Ledet interned with the Institute of International Education. He worked with the Scholar Rescue Fund, a program that provides support and safe haven to scholars around the world who are threatened as a result of their academic vocation.

In 2003, he was one of only 15 students among several New York City colleges to receive a Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship. The honor was bestowed on individuals who possessed the necessary traits - through leadership and creativity - to aid in developing a stronger society.

Ledet, an integral member of the Blackbirds’ defense, helped lead the squad to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1986. The 2004 Northeast Conference tournament champions fell to American University, 3-0, on November 20 in Washington, D.C.

He started 71-of-73 games in his four-year career, including all 19 contests this past fall. He was a key component in LIU’s run to the NEC title, limiting conference opponents to just five goals. On the offensive side, Ledet raised his career assist total to 14, notching three this season.

Ledet is one of 390 scholar-athletes to make the NEC Honor Roll. All scholar-athlete award winners must earn a minimum of 60 semester hours, maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point-average of 3.20 and participate with distinction as a member of a varsity team.

Ledet last month was tabbed a member of the ESPN Academic All-America Men’s Soccer First Team. He is one of only 816 athletes to earn All-America honors this academic year among the NCAA Division I, II, III and the NAIA.

This marks the fifth consecutive season LIU has boasted an NEC Scholar-Athlete. Maurice Yearwood of the men’s basketball team was honored in 2000-01, Scott Baker of the men’s golf squad earned the award in 2001-02 and 2002-03 and Sayde Marzolf of the softball team received this distinction last season.