June 11, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. - Eight Northwestern University student-athletes have been recognized for their efforts within competition, in the classroom and in the community by being named recipients of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award for 2008. Four males and four females apiece received the honor.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must compete in an intercollegiate athletic sport, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 and be active on their campuses or in their communities. The recipients were selected in conjunction with the magazine Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.

On the women's side, the nine-member fencing team included a pair of Northwestern student-athletes in sophomores Ameesha Sampat (3.55, social policy) and Maria Valdovinos (3.47, psychology). Also earning recognition were freshman Sabel Moffett (3.28, psychology) who was named to the volleyball third team and sophomore Lakhiyia Hicks (3.83, theatre) who was selected to the second team for basketball.

Northwestern's football team had two individuals named to the second team in seniors Tonjua Jones (3.37, sports administration) and Tim Downing (3.42, chemical engineering). Sophomore Kenneth Avila (3.45, economics; legal studies) was one of just 10 individuals selected as baseball recipients, while junior Sterling Williams (3.21, political science) was named to the basketball third team.

University of Illinois tennis player Momei Qu and Hampton University football player Marcus Dixon were honored as the overall female and male Sports Scholars of the Year, respectively.