May 11, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's junior Debbie Bateman has been named the Philadelphia Inquirer Women's Rowing Academic All-Area Performer of the Year, as chosen in balloting by the sports information directors at the 28 institutions in the Philadelphia area (Philly-SIDA).

Bateman, from Longport, NJ (Mainland Regional High School), was also named to the 2007 Atlantic 10 All-Academic Women's Rowing Team. She received SJU's Academic Award for her team and was named the Most Outstanding Player for women's rowing.

She has been on the Hawks' Varsity 8 boat for the past two seasons. This season, that boat captured the Kelly Cup as the Philadelphia city champion, while also taking second place at the San Diego Crew Classic, for the Hawks' best finish ever at that meet. Bateman helped the Varsity 8 finish fifth in the Atlantic 10 Championships, helping the Hawks to a fourth-place overall finish.

Bateman was a member of the 2006 Varsity 8 that won the Dad Vail Regatta and ECAC Championship, while participating at the Henley Regatta in England.

She is a marketing major with a 3.9 grade-point average.