Florida Atlantic University Athletics
10/7/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football, Women's Soccer, Academics
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence returns with its monthly honors showcasing and highlighting Owls who excelled during the month.
Selections for the month of September are Hailey Santiago, a junior forward from Freehold, N.J., who leads the women's soccer team with 10 goals and 22 points. She has been recognized by the American Conference multiple times this season as a Player of the Week and has guided the Owls to a 4-5-4 record, playing and starting in each of the team's 13 matches.
On the men's side, football DB Derrick Rogers has been an instrumental leader among the defensive backs and has been a part of the Owls building a league-leading 4-1 record as well as the best non-conference record, 3-1, in program history. Rogers has seen action in every 2026 contest. He has recorded eight tackles, including an assist for a loss of two yards, and is credited with four pass breakups.
The monthly awards are presented to a male and female Florida Atlantic student-athlete to recognize their excellence in the classroom. FAU's athletic academic staff votes on the award.
QUOTABLE
Female
Hailey Santiago – Women's Soccer
"Junior forward Hailey Santiago, who is an excellent student pursuing a psychology degree, scored five of her American Conference-leading 10 goals during the month of September – a hat trick against Jacksonville and two goals in a comeback victory over league opponent Charlotte. After both, she was named American Conference Offensive Player of the Week, among three such honors so far this season. She also continues to lead the American in points with 22." - Eric Zeaman, Assistant AD / Senior Associate Director Student-Athlete Success Center
Male
Derrick Rogers - Football
"Although in season, 'Dooda' Derrick Rogers has dedicated a significant amount of time in the academic center knocking out his schoolwork before the weekend so that he can focus fully on football. He has shown increased maturity, leadership, and dedication to his responsibilities by reaching out whenever he needs help and showing appreciation to those who support him. As his advisor, I am proud of the growth I have witnessed over the year and a half and I am proud of his academic performance." - Megan Caudle, Athletic Academic Advisor.
2026-27 STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
September: Derrick Rogers (football), Hailey Santiago (women's soccer)
October:
November:
January:
February:
March:
GAME TICKETS
To purchase tickets to any FAU Athletic sporting event and to learn which sports you can watch for free visit HERE.
Selections for the month of September are Hailey Santiago, a junior forward from Freehold, N.J., who leads the women's soccer team with 10 goals and 22 points. She has been recognized by the American Conference multiple times this season as a Player of the Week and has guided the Owls to a 4-5-4 record, playing and starting in each of the team's 13 matches.
On the men's side, football DB Derrick Rogers has been an instrumental leader among the defensive backs and has been a part of the Owls building a league-leading 4-1 record as well as the best non-conference record, 3-1, in program history. Rogers has seen action in every 2026 contest. He has recorded eight tackles, including an assist for a loss of two yards, and is credited with four pass breakups.
The monthly awards are presented to a male and female Florida Atlantic student-athlete to recognize their excellence in the classroom. FAU's athletic academic staff votes on the award.
QUOTABLE
Female
Hailey Santiago – Women's Soccer
"Junior forward Hailey Santiago, who is an excellent student pursuing a psychology degree, scored five of her American Conference-leading 10 goals during the month of September – a hat trick against Jacksonville and two goals in a comeback victory over league opponent Charlotte. After both, she was named American Conference Offensive Player of the Week, among three such honors so far this season. She also continues to lead the American in points with 22." - Eric Zeaman, Assistant AD / Senior Associate Director Student-Athlete Success Center
Male
Derrick Rogers - Football
"Although in season, 'Dooda' Derrick Rogers has dedicated a significant amount of time in the academic center knocking out his schoolwork before the weekend so that he can focus fully on football. He has shown increased maturity, leadership, and dedication to his responsibilities by reaching out whenever he needs help and showing appreciation to those who support him. As his advisor, I am proud of the growth I have witnessed over the year and a half and I am proud of his academic performance." - Megan Caudle, Athletic Academic Advisor.
2026-27 STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
September: Derrick Rogers (football), Hailey Santiago (women's soccer)
October:
November:
January:
February:
March:
GAME TICKETS
To purchase tickets to any FAU Athletic sporting event and to learn which sports you can watch for free visit HERE.
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
F
/ Women's SoccerThursday, October 22
Wednesday, October 21
Monday, October 12
Thursday, October 08