Savage named A-10 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Dan Savage ’18 was named an Atlantic 10 2017-18 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, an award annually presented to one male and one female student athlete based on both their academic and athletic performance.
This marks the sixth time a St. Joe’s student athlete has received the award and the seventh time a male track and field athlete has received the award in Atlantic 10 history.
After graduating with a dual degree in finance and risk management and insurance, Savage returned for a fifth year in 2017-18. He started his MBA in business administration and finished his cross country and track and field college career. Savage said he had more to give to the program.
“I wished that I had the opportunity to do something more after my senior year,” Savage said. “The fact that I had the chance to come back made me 110 percent serious about giving everything I had.”
Savage placed 10th at the 2018 A-10 Track and Field Championships and took 23rd place at the 2018 IC4A Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 3000m steeplechase. Savage, however, had his mind set on an all-conference accolade that had narrowly evaded him the year prior.
“Missing out on being all-conference by one or two spots was definitely a main motivation for returning,” Savage said. “It was a thing I never reached previously but thought I had within me, so finally getting it sealed the deal for me.”
Savage finished in seventh place in the 2017 Atlantic-10 Championship and 11th place at the 2017 IC4A Championship, earning him All-Conference and All-East honors.
Looking back on these athletic accomplishments that earned him 2017-18 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Savage said he was grateful for the people who helped him get there.
“I’m very appreciative of the award,” Savage said. “I owe it all to the mentors I picked up at St. Joe’s over my career.”
Men’s cross country Head Coach Mike Glavin was one of those people who Savage found influential. Reflecting on Savage’s award, Glavin commented on the magnitude of such an achievement.
“When you look at the number of athletes and the kind of athletes that are in the Atlantic 10, you kind of look at it and go ‘wow,’ because you’re swimming in a pretty deep pool there to be coming out on top,” Glavin said.
Glavin also said Savage’s clear understanding of what he wanted out of his college career helped him set distinct goals for himself.
“You’re not making sacrifices, your making choices to pursue the things you want to do,” Glavin said. “Dan was one of those guys who got it and understood what he wanted out of [cross country and academics].”
Junior runner Zach Michon, weighed in on Savage’s award.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Michon said. “Dan’s a really smart guy and a great athlete, so it was well deserved.”
Michon also said Savage’s dedication to both athletic and academic success positively influenced the rest of the men’s cross country team.
“He was a big role model,” Michon said. “People on the team saw the extra things he did and it made them want to follow his example.”
Now that he has officially retired his crimson and grey uniform, Savage will provide support from the sidelines.
“I’m looking forward to see how the guys do in these upcoming weekends, cheering them on and seeing what great things they can accomplish,” Savage said.
