SILVER CITY, NM – Western New Mexico University has been accepted into the National College Athlete Honor Society as the NM Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma (XAΣ), which recognizes student-athletes from accredited four-year NCAA, NAIA, USCAA or NCCAA institutions who excel in both the classroom and competition. WNMU is the first institution in the state of New Mexico to be a part of Chi Alpha Sigma.

"Academic excellence is the over-arching priority of our athletic mission. We will continue to emphasize its importance and recognize those academic successes. Chi Alpha Sigma also understands the importance of academic success and provides additional recognition for student/athletes. It is a pleasure to team with Chi Alpha Sigma while honoring our student-athletes for their work both academically and athletically," Executive Director of Athletics, Scott Noble.

Chi Alpha Sigma was founded in 1996 by then DePauw University head football coach Nick Mourouzis. His goal was to provide outstanding student-athletes with an opportunity to become connected within a fraternal association that aligns their educational and athletic successes for a lifetime.

In order to be inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must attend a four-year accredited college or university that is a member of the NCAA, NAIA, USCAA, or NCCAA. The honoree also must achieve at least junior academic standing by the fifth semester or seventh quarter, as determined by the certifying institution, and must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade-point average of a 3.4 GPA(on a 4.0 scale).

Assistant Athletic Director for Student Achievement, Shelby Turner will serve as the advisor for WNMU's chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma. The Mustangs will hold its first induction ceremony in the 2021 Spring semester.

Visit ChiAlphaSigma.org for more information.