May 28, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - - Eleven University of Memphis student-athletes were named recipients of an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award it was announced by the athletic department on Thursday. Four Tigers earned first team honors, two earned second team honors, four Tigers earned third team honors and one was named to the fourth team.

The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award was established in 1992 when Black Issues In Higher Education established the list of undergraduate students of color who exemplified the standards set by Arthur Ashe Jr. Each year, the awards continue to be presented to students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and are active in their college and communities.

The list of Memphis award winners is as follows:

First Team Honors
Janelle Valle, Sophomore, 3.97 GPA, Biology, Softball
Sivan Aballi, Senior, 3.79 GPA, Communication, Track and Field
Brandon Patterson, Senior, 3.54 GPA, Finance, Football
Adam McClain, Sophomore, 3.32 GPA, Marketing Management, Baseball

Second Team Honors
Jorge Vazquez, Senior, 3.41 GPA, International Business, Tennis
Darius Anderson, Sophomore, 3.51 GPA, Physics, Track and Field

Third Team Honors
Leila Dolfo, Senior, 3.22 GPA, Communication, Softball
Tori Gross, Senior, 3.28 GPA, International Business, Softball
Jonathan Simpson, 3.21 GPA, Psychology, Football
Rachel Theard, 3.32 GPA, Marketing Management, Volleyball

Fourth Team Honors
Desiree Blow, 3.43 GPA, Accounting, Track and Field