April 11, 2006

On Tuesday, two Florida Atlantic University student-athletes were recognized by the university at the annual Honors Convocation as the Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year. Men's basketball player Fred Marshall and volleyball player Makra Condill earned the honors for the 2005-06 school year.

The distinction as top student-athlete is given annually to one male and one female athlete who represent the athletic department and Florida Atlantic well in all aspects of university life. Performance in the classroom, service in the community and displays of leadership, as well as contributions athletically, are all characteristics of the honorees.

A native of Crystal Lake, Ill, Makra Condill will earn her degree in marketing in May 2006 after a four-year volleyball career at FAU. Condill carries a 3.51 GPA and is a member of the Student-Athlete Honor Roll and the Atlantic Sun All-Academic Team.

A four-year starter as a libero, Condill broke all of FAU's defensive records during her career. As a junior, Condill was named the Atlantic Sun Libero of the Year. She finished the season with 502 digs to break the season record and recorded 36 digs in a match against Jacksonville to break the match record.

In her senior season, she led the team with 456 digs and helped guide the team to the program's best season with a 29-3 record, a conference championship and an NCAA Tournament berth.

"Makra has been a key person in orchestrating the success of the FAU volleyball team this year," said head coach Jody Brown. "She is the captain both by selection and demonstration. Makra's commitment to her team, the university and her fellow student athletes exemplify the meaning of Student-Athlete of the Year.

Finding time to volunteer in the community, Condill worked with many groups of children to discuss the importance of education and what it means to be a student-athlete. She spent time at the Boys and Girls Club, the Boca Raton library and was part of National Student Athlete Day.

A local retirement home has also benefited from Condill's giving nature. Dixie Manor holds an annual Christmas party that she has organized and raised money to host. She has been part of the activity the past three years.

On campus, she serves as the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee which organizes community service events for the athletes and acts as the student-athletes voice to the administration.

Condill came to FAU after graduating from Prairie Ridge High School in 2002.