By Paul Brunskole
Senior Jen Breier lead the Buffalo State Bengals women’s volleyball team on the court, but she is being recognized off the court as she was given the State University of New York Athletic Conference’sChancellor’s Scholar-Athlete award.
Breier was notified by SUNYAC of winning the award on Nov. 9 for women’s volleyball.
The award, given by SUNYAC, is only awarded to one student–athlete in the conference per sport. In order to qualify for the award, the athlete must be a first or second team All-SUNYAC player and have a high grade point average.
Breier, a art education major, held a 3.90 cumulative grade point average while earning second team All-SUNYAC honors not only this season but last as well.
'That’s so exciting, I didn’t even realize I was nominated for it until a few weeks ago,” Breier said. “Then you know, you forget about it and just finding out that I won is a really great feeling. I’m very honored.”
Breier has always taken a liking to the sport of volleyball, and even though the team had a tough few seasons, she did not let that keep her away.
“I’ve always been athletic and volleyball’s my sport, I absolutely love it,” Breier said. “It’s tough, but you have to make the most of every situation.”
The volleyball team went through tough times as they went 8-60 over the past two seasons, but she did not let that bother her.
“So, you can either sit through your season and say “oh this sucks” or you can just make the most of it which is what I did,” Breier said. “I know it’s a team sport, but it’s nice to have the individual accomplishments as well.”
BSC’s Sports Information Director Jeff Ventura has seen the progress and the hard work Breier has put in not only the court, but off it as well.
“She’s one of our more committed athletes as far as being involved in the classroom, out of the classroom, the full experience,” Ventura said. “She’s been active within the department, kind of the glue that’s helped hold that team together and I think that’s reflective of who she is.”
Breier took the meaning of student-athlete and stood by it as she always put her schoolwork before athletics.
“Ultimately I am here for teaching art education, so athletics is something fun that I get to do,” Breier said. “It’s great that I get to do what I love and play the sport that I love while I go to college, but that’s not my main priority.”
Breier will receive the award in a formal presentation in a date to be determined in the spring semester.
“It’s that never give-up attitude and I think that’s what helps her succeed in the classroom,” Ventura said. “She prides herself on working hard at everything she does and I think that’s a testament to that work ethic she has.”
Volleyball Career:
- 855 kills
- 145 aces
- 430 games
- 2nd team All-SUNYAC Junior and Senior seasons
“I have basically learned from all the experiences and relationships with teammates, sometimes that’s more important that the actual wins and losses on the court,” Breier said. “Off the court, we have a great art education program here and I’m definitely going to take a lot of good things from there that will help me in my career.”
Contact Paul Brunskole at BrunPJ08@mail.buffalostate.edu
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