Gymnast Balances Stellar Academics With Dazzling Athletics: It’s easy to spot Marcia Newby, a member of the University of Georgia women's gymnastics team, a powerhouse that has won five national championships in the last six seasons. She has the biggest and heaviest book bag.“I carry all my books around just in case I have 15 or 20 extra minutes. I can start studying in that time frame,” says the 22-year-old senior biological science major.
In addition to competing in gymnastics and sustaining a 3.9 cumulative grade-point average in premed studies, Newby served as co-president of the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC), an organization that addresses issues affecting student-athletes. Newby is among a select group of student-athletes involved in helping UGA earn recertification from the NCAA. She was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Community Service Team, among other honors for her community service, which includes coordinating food drives and volunteering at the Special Olympics.
