The University of Mississippi Athletics
Seven Rebels Named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars
7/2/2009 | Athletics
OXFORD, Miss. - Seven Ole Miss student-athletes, Christopher Bush, Jason Cook, Daverin Geralds, Barnabas Kirui, Kayla Melson, Wale Odetunde and Juliana Smith were honored as Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars by the journal Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, it was announced Thursday.
Bush, a junior on the Rebel track and field team, was a national first-team selection, while senior teammates Kirui and Odetunde were both national second-team selections. In fact, it was the third straight year Odetunde has been honored with the award and the second straight year for Kirui.
The Rebel football duo of Cook and Geralds were both honored with third-team selections. Geralds, a senior offensive lineman, was recognized with the award for the second consecutive year after picking up third-team plaudits last season.
Smith, a junior thrower for the women's track and field team, is the fourth member of the track and field team to be honored with the award. The SEC indoor champion in the weight throw, Smith earned her spot on the fourth-team. Melson, a junior guard on the women's basketball team, earned honorable mention recognition.
Diverse established the Sports Scholars Awards to honor undergraduate students of color who have made achieving both academically and athletically a winning combination. In addition to their athletic ability, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must exhibit academic excellence and community activism. To be included, students have to compete in an intercollegiate sport; maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2; and be active on their campuses or in their communities.