Vitkus Named Men's Basketball Senior Scholar Athlete
Vitkus Named Men's Basketball Senior Scholar Athlete
TOWSON, Md. — Scranton's John Vitkus has been named the Landmark Men's Basketball Senior Scholar Athlete for the 2016-17 season. Vitkus is the 28th Royal to earn senior scholar recognition, is the second men's basketball player for Scranton, and is the fourth Royal in this academic year (Matthew Busch – Men's Soccer, Erin Casey – Women's Soccer, Jimmy Buckley – Men's Cross Country).
A two-time All-Landmark performer, Vitkus helped lead Scranton to NCAA Tournament appearances in all four seasons as a Royal. He was a two-time Landmark Defensive Player of the Year, and was honored as the 2016-17 Landmark Men's Basketball Most Valuable Player. He was recently named to the D3hoops.com All-Region First Team and the NABC Middle Atlantic All-District First Team.
As a senior, Vitkus averaged 17.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, which was tops in the conference this season.
Vitkus was equally successful academically, maintaining a 3.62 grade-point average while majoring in International Business. He is a three-time member of the Landmark Winter Academic Honor Roll, a member of the Dean's List. The senior earned a spot on the Capital One Academic All-District team in 2016.
The Landmark Conference selects 20 senior scholar athletes each year to recognize the top student-athlete in each sport based on academics and athletics.
The honorees must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20 and are selected by a committee of Landmark Conference officers, athletics directors, faculty athletic representatives, senior woman administrators, and sports information directors.
Release Schedule:
Wednesday, March 15 - Men's Track | Women's Track
Thursday, March 16 - Men's Basketball | Women's Basketball
Friday, March 17 - Men's Swimming | Women's Swimming