For the student-athlete, juggling athletics and academics can be a challenge, no matter where you go to school. Excelling in both can be even harder.

Just ask Colleen Kelly (sophomore-nursing) at Penn State Delaware County. Kelly recently received the John S. Egli Award for Outstanding Female Scholar Athlete. The award honors the top student-athlete from all 14 Penn State commonwealth campuses. The schools compete against one another in the Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference.

Kelly, who has earned a 3.53 grade point average while playing both volleyball and basketball for Delaware County, was surprised when she learned she had won the award, but her credentials speak for themselves.

"Colleen is an outstanding student and athlete," said John Fritz, director of the CCAC. "In addition to sports, she's also been active in the Lion Ambassadors, as well as her church youth group."

Kelly is quite modest in explaining her success in the classroom and on the court.

"It's hard, but I just try to take one thing at a time," Kelly said.

Kelly is one of about 300 student- athletes at the commonwealth campuses who have earned a 3.0 GPA or higher this year, according to Fritz.

Another outstanding student-athlete in the CCAC this year was Anthony Fontana (sophomore-math) at Penn State York. Fontana, who plays basketball and runs cross-country, won the Outstanding Male Scholar Athlete Award with a 3.86 GPA.

But athletes at the commonwealth campuses are not solely focused on their academics. They play to win, and the 2000-2001 CCAC season saw champions crowned in eight different team sports.

"We were very pleased with the season overall this year," Fritz said. "It's not just for fun. The sports were very competitive, and you really have to give credit to these athletes, who aren't on any scholarships. They just enjoy competing."

The CCAC men's and women's basketball championships were held in The Bryce Jordan Center at University Park this year. Penn State New Kensington won the men's title, while Penn State Berks captured the women's crown.

Berks' sports program was the most successful among the commonwealth campuses this year, winning championships in women's volleyball and men's soccer in addition to women's basketball.

Other champions in 2000-2001 included Penn State Mont Alto in golf, Penn State Delaware County in tennis, Penn State Beaver in baseball, and Penn State Worthington/Scranton in cheerleading.

As for Kelly, she plans to continue playing sports when she transfers to the University Park campus next fall in pursuit of her degree.

"Probably not for the varsity team or anything, just intramurals or club," Kelly said. "I just love to play."