EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State's Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) will hold its 15th annual Academic Gala on Monday, April 9 at the Kellogg Center. A record 294 Spartan student-athletes, who are at least a sophomore and hold a 3.0 or better cumulative grade-point average, will be honored for their academic achievements during the 2011-12 year. Also, the MSU Athletics Department will also be celebrating its highest athletic GPA ever of 3.03 achieved in the fall semester.

This year's keynote speaker will be Orlando Magic's Senior Vice President Pat Williams. Williams has almost 50 years of professional sports experience on his record, having been with the Orlando Magic since helping co-found the organization in 1986. Prior to being named Senior VP in 1996, he was the Magic's general manager, a spot which he had previously held with the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. Although he has been heavily involved in professional basketball for the majority of his career, Williams played collegiate baseball at Wake Forest University, before playing professionally in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Williams is considered by many as one of the top motivational and inspirational speakers in the country.

In total, over 800 people will be in attendance at Monday's Gala.