ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - Cal State San Marcos' Nick Melanese capped off his outstanding career by being voted the 2024-25 CCAA Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
The award is voted on and selected by the Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs) from the Conference's 12-member institutions. It focuses on student-athletes' work in the classroom, the community, and their respective sports.
 
Melanese earned his Bachelor's in Business Administration in 2024 and will complete his MBA in Business Analytics this August. He was a six-time CCAA Honor Roll selection and a three-time D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award member. Melanese was voted to the CSC Academic All-America team, marking just the third time in history a men's track & field student-athlete has won the prestigious honor in consecutive seasons. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and earned the Dean of Students Award for Outstanding Leadership.
 
The Scripps Ranch native also received an NCAA Division II 50th Anniversary Scholarship and the Elite 90 Award at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
 
“Nick is so deserving of this award. During his time here at CSUSM, Nick has done nothing but raise the bar higher and higher for himself and our department," said Cal State San Marcos Director of Athletics, Morod Shah. "We are incredibly proud that Nick is being recognized for his elite-level work in the classroom and on the track. On behalf of our department, congratulations to Nick!  We are excited to watch what he will do next, representing Cougar Athletics.”
 
Despite all the hours of dedication to education and his sport, Melanese found time to give back to the community. He was an active member of Team IMPACT, which helped bring an eight-year-old boy's dream of meeting Lionel Messi a reality. He was also a three-year team captain for the men's track & field team, a student group leader for a local elementary school's fun run fundraiser. He has been asked multiple times to speak on campus to represent his fellow student-athletes and the athletic department.
 
During his four years at CSUSM, Melanese competed in men's cross country and track & field. He was a two-time CCAA Champion, winning the 800m and the 1500m in 2023. Melanese qualified for the NCAA Championships in 2023 and 2024, earning USTFCCCA All-Region honors both seasons. He closed out his collegiate career by posting NCAA Provisional Qualifying Standards in the 800m and the 1500m, and earning USTFCCCA All-Region. He leaves CSUSM as the school record holder in the 800m (1:48.59), and second all-time in the 1500m and mile.
 
"I appreciate the CCAA recognizing Nick as a student-athlete," said Cal State San Marcos' Cross Country and Track & Field head coach Torrey Olson. "He is extremely deserving, and his consistency, effort, success, and leadership have helped shape our program here at San Marcos."
 
Melanese plans to go into video production upon graduation. He is already actively working in the field as an intern with Havas Edge. Melanese has been a video production assistant and Marketing Student Coordinator on campus. He was chosen to represent Cal State San Marcos at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) & National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) National Collegiate Marketing Conference. His work was recognized nationally as he won four awards for top 3 finishes at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Steal This Idea Marketing Competition.
 
Melanese is the first Cougar to win CCAA Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year since Cal State San Marcos joined the conference in 2015. Click here for the complete list of past CCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year Winners.
 
To be nominated for the CCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, individuals must have a 3.5 grade-point average or higher at a conference institution, complete their final season of eligibility, and participate in a CCAA-sponsored sport.