Three University at Buffalo student-athletes, Rana Elhusseini, Marialis Kwak, and Ryan Buzby, have been honored with the SUNY Winter Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards for their academic and athletic achievements during the 2023-24 winter season. The awards recognize a total of 21 student-athletes from SUNY colleges and universities who have excelled in both academics and sports, as determined by representatives of their respective institutions. Elhusseini, a senior guard in women's basketball, made significant contributions both on and off the court, while Kwak, a junior diver, and Buzby, a senior distance runner, also displayed outstanding performances in their respective sports.

By the Numbers
  • Rana Elhusseini averaged 9.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and led the team in assists (114), steals (49), and free throw percentage (.878) in her lone season.
  • Marialis Kwak, a junior chemical engineering major, achieved a 3.78 overall GPA and won gold in both the one-meter and three-meter events at MAC Championships.
  • Ryan Buzby, a biological sciences major, earned a 3.97 GPA and was the MAC indoor champion in the 5,000 meter run and a silver medalist in the 3,000 meter run.
State of Play
  • 21 student-athletes received the SUNY Winter Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards for their combined academic and athletic excellence.
  • More than 14,000 student-athletes from 53 SUNY institutions at different NCAA levels are eligible for the awards.
Bottom Line

These three Bulls have demonstrated remarkable dedication to both their academic and athletic pursuits, setting a commendable example for student-athletes across SUNY institutions.