General | 4/24/2026 11:30:00 AM
TRAFFORD, Pa. (pacathletics.org) - The Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) continues to highlight the achievements of its student-athletes every month.
The SAAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month award recognizes one upperclass female and male who have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher, compete in a varsity sport, and participate in extracurricular activities on their campuses. This month, the conference spotlights the excellence of junior Samantha Volpe of Hiram College and senior Cole Thomas of Bethany College.
Samantha Volpe (Concord, Ohio/Riverside) has distinguished herself as a leader on and off the track for Hiram’s Track & Field program. Maintaining a 3.93 GPA, she is working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She has been named to the Dean’s List multiple times for her academic achievements.
Volpe’s commitment to excellence has earned her recognition as a PAC Field Athlete of the Week. As a thrower on the track team, Volpe has competed in the hammer throw, weight throw, discus and shot put. At the Polar Bear Final Qualifier this last March, Volpe threw a personal best in shot put of 13.14 meters, placing third.
Beyond academics and athletics, Volpe plays an active role on her campus. She serves as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative for the women's track and field team and participates in Hiram College’s High Performance Program.
Female March honorable mention nominees included: Bethany’s Tatum Severe (lacrosse), Franciscan’s Emma Davis (softball) and Waynesburg’s Natalie Double (track and field).
The male SAAC Scholar Athlete for the month of March is Cole Thomas (Lindside, W.Va./James Monroe).
With a perfect 4.0 GPA as a Political Science major at Bethany College, the senior models excellence inside the classroom. In addition, Thomas has been honored as a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Scholarship, a member of the Bethany College Honors Program, and has earned a place on the President’s List every semester since Fall 2024.
On the court, Thomas has been a key player to the Bethany men’s volleyball team. He earned Academic All-PAC honors in 2025 and was named a PAC Preseason Player to Watch in 2025 and 2026. He has been recognized Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention in 2026, and he currently ranks fifth in the PAC in digs per set, after finishing in the conference’s top ten last year for digs per set.
Thomas’s leadership extends well beyond athletics. He serves as Chief Justice of the Student Government Association and is an active member of the Student Activities Council. Previously, he held the role of Secretary for the Political Science Club, showcasing his commitment to civic engagement and campus involvement. He is also a member of an outdoor volleyball club, continuing to expand his athletic interests.
Male March honorable mention nominees included: Hiram’s Jaelon Shepherd (track and field) and Waynesburg’s Jacob Harker (track and field).