Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association names TAMUG's Ryan Carden to its 2010 All Academic Sailing Team    

October 25, 2010

Ryan Carden, a junior Marine Transportation major -- and member of the sailing team -- at Texas A&M University at Galveston, is one of nine students in the nation that the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) has selected for its 2010 First Team All Academic Sailing Team.

In all (also counting students named to the Second Team) the ICSA recognized 19 outstanding student athletes who were nominated for excellence in academic and athletic performance in the 2009-2010 academic year.

According to Mitch Brindley, ICSA president, selection of the association’s first team acknowledges an emphasis on academic achievement. “These individuals have met a certain balance between sailing and academic excellence,” he said.

Carden, who currently serves as executive officer of the Cadet Battalion of TAMUG’s Texas Maritime Academy, is the son of Hal and Carol Carden of Atascadero, Calif. He says his enthusiasm and sailing skills are legacies from his parents.

Reflecting on this prestigious recognition, Carden said, “It's an honor to be considered and even more of an honor to become a member of ICSA’s First Team All-Academic Sailing Team. I am grateful for the opportunities Texas A&M at Galveston and the varsity sailing team have given me.”

Gerard Coleman, the TAMUG sailing team coach, calls Carden a “star performer,” however, Coleman takes pride in the accomplishments of all 48 members of the school’s sailing team – most of whom, he says, came to the team without any prior sailing experience.

To be eligible for the Academic Sailing Team distinction, student sailors must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 while serving as a key starter or reserve member of their school’s sailing team. Each student also must reach junior standing at his or her institution of learning to be considered.

Other colleges and universities whose student sailors qualified for the All Academic Sailing Team include Brown University, the College of Charleston, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York Maritime College, St. Mary’s College, Stanford University and the U.S. Naval Academy.

ICSA is the governing authority for sailing competition at colleges and universities throughout the United States and some parts of Canada. It is comprised of seven North American Conferences within established geographic regions. Each conference schedules and runs local and intersectional events, including conference championships that ultimately qualify teams for the ICSA National Championships.

###