Wingate's Grieco Named 2024 South Atlantic Conference Men's Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Wingate's Willie Grieco was voted the 2024 South Atlantic Conference Men's Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Conference office announced today.

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The winners are selected based on their achievements in academics, athletics, service, and leadership.

Grieco, a graduate student from Lawerenceville, Ga., holds a 3.500 grade point average while earning his master's degree and had a 3.429 grade point average as an undergrad. Grieco is a four-time member of the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll and was named to the Wingate University Dean's List three times. He was twice named to the Wingate University President's List and was an Academic All-District selection as a junior.

Grieco is one of the most decorated players in SAC men's lacrosse history and was just named the National Attackmen of the Year by the USILA. He moved into second in Division II history in career points in a win over Catawba this year and is a four-time First Team All-SAC selection.  He led the nation in assists and ranked fourth in DII in points. He finished his remarkable career with over 400 career points and he also ranks second in DII history in career assists.

Off the field, he volunteered with his teammates at the One Day, One Dog Day of Service for the past three years. He also volunteered at the United Way Day of Caring for two years where he helped senior citizens with yard care.    

"Willie Grieco is a student-athlete who has left a mark on Wingate University, both as a record-setting lacrosse player and as a classroom-tested finance major," said Wingate's FAR Barry Cuffe. "Willie has been blessed with a lot of ability, but what really makes him so outstanding is the consistency of his effort and his relentless drive to win. Whether putting in hours outside of class to learn simulation modeling or whirling around to deliver a behind-the-back goal, you can count on Willie Grieco to compete at a high level. He is a quiet leader, a student with integrity and someone who I am proud to endorse as a South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete nominee."

SAC Men's Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete Finalists

Willie Grieco, Wingate

Joey Masson, Lenoir-Rhyne

Richard Connor Bates, Newberry

Will Habel, Coker