April 26, 2005

College Park, Md. - Ian Healy, a senior midfielder on the 10th-ranked Maryland men's lacrosse team, has been elected for membership into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and largest academic society.

"I am overwhelmed by this," said Healy. "I had no idea that anyone had even nominated me. It is a tremendous honor and I am thrilled to be a member of this prestigious society.

"My family is very excited for me, but I almost didn't even find out," said Healy. "I thought the letter was just some junk mail from a fraternity. But then I realized I recognized those Greek letters and opened the envelope."

Maryland head coach Dave Cottle was equally excited for Healy.

"Ian is an outstanding student-athlete, who is truly deserving of this honor," said Cottle. "He epitomizes the phrase 'student-athlete.' He is a good player, a good student, a good teammate and a hard worker. This is a tremendous accomplishment for him and his family."

Since 1883, the membership has grown from 14,000 to more than 600,00. In 1900, when the first general catalogue was published, the living membership was about 10,500. It is now more than 500,000.