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MOSES LAKE — At Big Bend Community College, the “student” in student-athlete does not just come first in name.

Academics is a priority for all sports teams and the Vikings were rewarded as such with their second President’s Cup in four years.

“It’s pretty impressive that Big Bend Community College student-athletes have been in the top two the last four years,” said NWAC Executive Director Marco Azurdia to bleachers filled with Viking student-athletes and coaches. “That speaks volumes about you as student-athletes, about your coaches, about all the support staff and the fact that they help you.”

Each year, the award is given to the institution whose student-athletes excel in the classroom; the criteria includes grade point average, credits taken and degree completion.

“The recognition for this is significant,” said Preston Wilks, athletic director and head women’s basketball coach at Big Bend. “The efforts that our athletes make, our coaches make and really every single entity here at Big Bend helps with a significant contribution toward our athletes being successful in the classroom. We really couldn’t do this without all the support of all the entities here on campus.”

Big Bend won the inaugural President’s Cup in 2012-13 and finished second the past two years in the Dick McClain Division; schools that compete in seven or fewer sports. Mt Hood Community College won the cup for the Frank Bosone Division; schools with eight or more sports.

Finalists in the McClain division included Peninsula College, Lower Columbia College and Wenatchee Valley College. Lane Community College, Walla Walla Community College and Southwestern Oregon Community College were the finalists in the Bosone Division.

During his address, Wilks highlighted the coaches at Big Bend.

“My belief is our coaches are largely responsible for this, for they’re the ones that are trying to recruit quality individuals,” he said. “And its individuals that in turn earn this award for us. I’d like to acknowledge the quality of students that we had last year every year. It’s quite an accomplishment that our athletes are not only concerned about their performance on the court or on the field, but they’re also concerned equally in the classroom.”

Jon Lane, clad in his Big Bend Community College wrestling letterman’s jacket, also stressed the importance of athletics and how they relate to life after graduation.

“For those who don’t know, I was involved with the school shooting (at Frontier Middle School) a number of years ago and I really attribute my experience as an athlete — my faith in community and my family supports me — but my experience as an athlete was what enabled me to do what I did,” he said. “I know each and every one of you when you come out here and practice and work hard for a goal you’re improving yourself; you’re setting yourself up for success in life.”