PERRY, N.Y. (6/13/2016) -- University of Detroit Mercy senior Paul Bitetti left the program with a number of accomplishments, but maybe none as impressive as his latest as the Titan defenseman was named a Scholar All-American by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA).
 
Bitetti was one of just three MAAC student-athletes to receive the prestigious accolade along with Joseph Radin of Marist and Quinnipiac's Ryan Keenan. He is just the second Titan to ever earn the honor joining former teammate Jordan Houtby, who garnered the accolade back in 2013.
 
Bitetti was tabbed All-MAAC First Team for the third time in his career in 2016, becoming just the second Titan to earn First Team honors three times in their career. He led the Titans and was fourth in the conference and 32nd in the nation with 1.42 caused turnovers per game.
 
He finished his career – where he was a four-year starter - with 59 caused turnovers, good for fourth in school history, helping Detroit win its first MAAC championship title as a freshman in 2013.
 
In 1989 the USILA Scholar All-America Program was established to recognize student-athletes from USILA member institutions who have distinguished themselves academically, athletically and as citizens of their communities. The USILA Selection Committee selects an overall team representing Division I, II and III.
 
A Scholar All-American must be nominated by his coach and be a student with a senior year academic standing and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale). He will have behaved in a manner that has brought credit to himself, his institution, and to college lacrosse both on and off the field. He must also be an All-American, a member of a North/South team, or an outstanding league or conference player. Please note that simply being a member of the North/South team and/or being All League/Conference does not make the Student-Athlete a lock for the award. Each Individual will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the Scholar AA committee.