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Wayne State University Athletics

Elizabeth Maraskine and Rachelle Clayton
Elizabeth Maraskine (left) and Rachelle Clayton were recipients of the NCAA Degree Completion Award.

Women's Swimming & Diving Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Two WSU Student-Athletes Receive NCAA Degree Completion Awards

Clayton and Maraskine selected by the NCAA.

DETROIT -- Two Wayne State University student-athletes have been chosen to receive an NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award.  Softball outfielder Rachelle Clayton (Guelph, Ont.) and former swimmer Elizabeth Maraskine (Midland, Mich. / Dow) are two of the 2020-21 Degree Completion Award recipients.

Clayton was a three-time GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team selection, along with being a three-time NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) Scholar Athlete.  A Nursing major, Clayton was named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (term GPA 3.5+) all eight semesters, including three terms with a 4.0 GPA.

Maraskine was a three-time GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team selection as well as a three-time D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award recipient.  A Nursing major, Maraskine was named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (term GPA 3.5+) all eight semesters, including six terms with a 4.0 GPA.

The NCAA established the Division II Degree Completion Award Program in 2001 to provide deserving student-athletes financial assistance for them to complete their first baccalaureate degree.

To date, nearly $6 million has been given to approximately 1,400 deserving student-athletes.  Of those student-athletes who have received the award since its inception, 90 percent have earned their undergraduate degree using this program.

Past Degree Completion Award Winners from Wayne State
2015-16:  Anne Li Briand (Women's Tennis)
2008-09:  Erika Barczak (Women's Diving), Lindsey Perry (Softball)
2007-08:  Dan Barnes (Football/Baseball), Kyle Hill (Baseball)
2005-06:  David Lutz (Swimming)

2007-08:  (Division 1) Peyton Patterson

Requirements for the Award

  • Applicant shall be a student-athlete who has completed athletics eligibility at an active NCAA Division II institution.
  • Applicant must be within 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours) of completion of an undergraduate degree.
  • The degree must be completed within 10-semesters (15 quarters).
  • Applicant must be meeting the institution's standard for good academic standing.
  • Applicant cannot concurrently receive any athletics aid from the institution.
  • Applicant must use the award to complete the first undergraduate degree requirements from the institution where the student-athlete exhausted his or her athletics eligibility.

In addition, the following criteria applies to the award:

  • The Division II Degree Completion Award value is the lesser of:
    • Tuition for his or her remaining credits toward completing an undergraduate degree; or
    • $7,000.
  • The Division II Degree Completion Award may be used for summer term and other short terms immediately preceding or following the final undergraduate term/year, provided it is within the student-athlete's 10 semesters (15 quarters).
  • An institution is limited to nominating a maximum of three student-athletes for the Division II Degree Completion Award.
  • The committee will rank all applicants who have completed applications and will reach out to alternates as awarding dollars become available.
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Players Mentioned

Elizabeth Maraskine

Elizabeth Maraskine

Back/Free
5' 11"
Senior
Rachelle Clayton

#4 Rachelle Clayton

RF
5' 6"
Redshirt Senior
L/R

Players Mentioned

Elizabeth Maraskine

Elizabeth Maraskine

5' 11"
Senior
Back/Free
Rachelle Clayton

#4 Rachelle Clayton

5' 6"
Redshirt Senior
L/R
RF