The 2016-17 Student-Athlete of the Year was awarded to Quinnipiac’s Derek Smith. Boasting a 3.94 grade point average, Smith is majoring in Finance at Quinnipiac’s school of business with a minor in computer information systems.
The senior co-captain has consistently performed at the highest level in each of his four years at Quinnipiac earning a place on the Dean’s List each semester and will be an inductee of the financial management association national honor society later this month. He is a three-time Quinnipiac male scholar-athlete award recipient working on such projects as event studies of merger bids in the technology industry and analysis of market and process response in the utility sector.
A leader in the locker room and one of the team’s most consistent defensemen, Smith has helped the Bobcats claim two Cleary Cups; the first Whitelaw Cup in program history as well as three NCAA tournament appearances and a visit to the frozen four in 2016. He is part of a senior class that has accumulated over 100 career wins.
His leadership extends off the ice as well serving a role model at such activities as elementary school visits and as clinic and camp instructor. He has also been a member of Quinnipiac’s student athlete advisory committee.
