International Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame inducts Tufts' President, making him first ever honored as educator

Kingston, RI [06.08.01] --Throughout his career in higher education, Tufts University President John DiBiaggio has been dedicated to educating scholar-athletes. And his success at Tufts -- where nearly a dozen athletes are named Academic All-Americans each year -- and throughout his career, has been gaining national and international attention. Later this month, DiBiaggio will receive yet another honor for his work, when he will be the first person inducted into the International Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame for his work as an educator.

   The Tufts President will be honored alongside 20 athletes, including astronaut and amateur tennis star Sally Ride and NFL running back Calvin Hill. According to the Boston Globe, DiBiaggio's selection marks the first time anyone has entered the Hall of Fame as an educator.

   "The class of 2001 represents the very best of sport, educational excellence and humanitarianism," said Daniel Doyle, the executive director of the Institute for International Sport, which administers the Hall of Fame.

   According to the Hall of Fame, DiBiaggio was recognized as "an educator who has taken stands of principle regarding the integration of scholarly and athletic pursuits."

   The success of Tufts' athletics program under his leadership highlights that dedication.

   A study conducted by the University's athletics director found that Tufts athletes typically have higher GPAs than their classmates, while leading their teams to top-place finishes.

   This year alone, Tufts' soccer, track, sailing, hockey, tennis, softball, basketball and baseball teams all earned post-season berths or honors for their top athletes.

   DiBiaggio joins a long and prestigious list of athletes already in the Hall of Fame, including U.S. Presidents Gerald Ford and George Bush Sr., as well as tennis great Arthur Ashe, former Senator and basketball star Bill Bradley, basketball's inventor James Waismith, and Olympic figure skating champion Tenley Albright.