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EDINBORO, PA – Former Edinboro University
student-athletes Kelly Calderone and A.J. Cousins have been named
recipients of NCAA Division II degree-completion awards. The award
was established by the NCAA to financially assist student-athletes
who have exhausted their eligibility within the past calendar
year. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point
average and be within 30 semester hours of completion of their
undergraduate degree.
Calderone finished her illustrious career with
the Edinboro women’s basketball team earlier this year. She
was recognized as the Nancy Acker Award winner, presented to the
outstanding senior female student-athlete. In the classroom, she
is a Nursing major and anticipates graduating in May 2008.
Calderone was named an All-PSAC West performer
for the third straight year in 2006-07. She earned first team
accolades for the second straight year after a second team
selection as a sophomore.
Calderone, a native of Freedom, PA, transferred
to Edinboro after playing for one season at the University at
Buffalo. She enjoyed an outstanding three-year career, finishing
fourth in career scoring with 1,460 career points. In addition,
her career average of 16.8 ppg. ranks third.
In 28 games, the 5’7” guard led
Edinboro in scoring at 18.3 ppg., a figure which ranks fourth in
the PSAC. Her 513 points ranked 12th in the season records. She
shot 39.7 percent from the floor (162 of 408). Including 36 of 112
on three-pointers, and made 153 of 182 free throws. The 153 free
throws made broke the school record for free throws made in a
season, and the 182 attempts ranked fourth. She added 4.9 rpg.,
and led the team in assists (124) and steals (73). Calderone
ranked second among PSAC players in assists and third in steals.
She also ranked second in free throw percentage at 84.1 percent.
She led the Fighting Scots in scoring in twenty contests, while
scoring in double figures in 26 of 28 games.
While playing just three seasons as a Fighting
Scot, Calderone compiled some impressive numbers. In addition to
her 1,460 career points, she set the career record for free throws
made with 415, is fourth in career free throw attempted (485), set
the school record for career free throw percentage at 85.9
percent, a figure which is also first all-time in the PSAC. She
finished fourth in career three-pointers made (153) and fifth in
career three-pointers attempted (446). She is 13th in career
assists (263) and 11th in career steals (195).
Calderone averaged 16.0 ppg. a year ago to earn
first team All-PSAC West honors and lead Edinboro to a berth in
the NCAA Playoffs with a 21-10 record. As a sophomore, she
averaged 16.1 and was a second team All-PSAC West choice. She
became just the fourth player to score at least 400 points in
three seasons this year.
Cousins was a three-year starter at noseguard
for the Fighting Scot football team. He is expected to conclude
work on his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Media
Studies in December 2007.
A 6’1”, 278 lb. native of
Chillicothe, OH, he was a three-time All-PSAC West first team
selection. He concluded his career with 169 career tackles while
serving as a three-year starter at noseguard. As a senior he
totaled 49 tackles, with 4 tackles for losses and a sack. He
finished with 47 tackles as a junior, adding 10.5 tackles for
losses and 6 sacks. In addition to the All-PSAC honors, he was a
second team Football Gazette All-Northeast Region choice in 2005.
He spearheaded an Edinboro defense which led NCAA Division II in
rushing defense, scoring defense, and total defense.
As a sophomore, Cousins was a third team
Football Gazette All-Northeast Region selection and a
D2football.com honorable mention All-Northeast Region choice. He
totaled a career-high 51 tackles, with 9 tackles for losses and 5
sacks.
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