Men's Lacrosse | 5/24/2013 9:52:00 PM

ROCHESTER, NY -- Pat McMullan (Easton, PA/Wyoming Seminary), a sophomore on the RIT men's lacrosse team, was the recipient of the Elite 89 award for the 2013 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship. McMullan, a biomedical sciences major, currently carries a 3.91 grade-point average. He was presented with the award during the championship banquet on Friday, May 24, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The Elite 89, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 89 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.

Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and a designated member of the squad size at the championship. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.

McMullan joins former men's hockey standout Mark Cornacchia (Unionville, Ontario/) who won the then Elite 88 award in 2010 at the Frozen Four in Detroit.

McMullan has played in all 21 games this season for RIT, tallying 13 points on nine goals and four assists. Two of his goals came on man-up, to go along with eight ground balls on the season.

RIT will face Stevenson University on Sunday, May 26 in the NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship game at 4 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. It is the Tigers first trip to the championship game in 15 NCAA Tournament appearances.