June 16, 2004

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Senior gymnast Rachel Goldberg (Indianapolis, Ind.) became Cornell's second three-time Academic All-American when she was named to the Verizon At-Large first-team, it was announced today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Goldberg also became the second first-team selection for the Big Red this year, joining senior defensive lineman Kevin Rooney of the football team.

Goldberg joins soccer player John Bayne, a first-team selection from 1986-88, as the only Cornellians to be named to the team three times. Fifteen different student-athletes have been honored twice while playing for the Big Red. She previously had earned third team honors in 2002 and 2003.

Goldberg is a three-time first-team Academic All-District selection. A four-year starter on vault and bars, she is Cornell's first three-time All-American on vault at the USA Collegiate Nationals. The school record holder on vault, she is a member of Cornell's 400 Club for student-athletes who have posted a 4.00 semester GPA, and was named a NACGA Scholastic All-American each of the last three years. She has also served as president of Cornell's Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) and is a member of both the Red Key Athletic and Quill and Dagger honorary societies. A psychology major in Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with a 3.97 GPA, she is the daughter of Mark and Judy Goldberg.

To be considered for Academic All-America honors, a student-athlete must be selected to the first-team all-district squad in a vote by CoSIDA members. The student-athlete must be at least a sophomore with a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher and be a starter or key reserve for their team.