NEW HAVEN, Conn. (June 10, 2011) – Billy O’Connell of Concordia College has been chosen the May Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Student-Athlete of the Month. O’Connell recently completed his senior season as a member of the Concordia baseball team. The CACC Student-Athlete of the Month award is handed out from September to May to student-athletes who thrive in athletics, in the classroom and in the community.

O’Connell, a native of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., graduated in May from Concordia with a 3.67 grade point-average as a Biology major. He was a member of the Concordia Fellows Program (must have a 3.56 grade point-average). He was the recipient of the Edward Fulling Award, which is given annually to Concordia’s best science student. He was a two-time member of the CACC All-Academic team and claimed the 2011 Concordia Male Scholar Athlete of the Year award. He was a member of the Dean’s List in six out of seven semesters and published an article about instant replay in pro sports in the Concordia Honors Magazine.

O’Connell was a resident assistant in the residence halls at Concordia and worked for the college services department. He also had internships at the Westchester Medical Center and a rehabilitation center in Eastchester. In addition, he worked a community shoe drive for Tom’s Shoes.

On the field, O’Connell was a team captain for the Clippers. He drove in 13 runs during his senior season and scored 21 times. He went 6-for-8 in stolen base attempts and sported a .974 fielding percentage at first base while starting and playing in 36 games. As a junior, he hit .317 with 26 runs scored, 18 RBI and a pair of home runs to go with a .977 fielding percentage.