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Basketball postgraduate scholarship winners announced

Twenty-eight basketball players -- 14 men and 14 women -- at NCAA member institutions have been awarded postgraduate scholarships of $5,000 each.

Of the 28 scholarships, 10 were awarded to Division I student-athletes, 10 to student-athletes in Divisions II and III and the remaining eight at large.

In addition to the basketball scholarships, 29 awards have been presented during this academic year to student-athletes in football, and 97 awards (34 for men and 63 for women) will be given to student-athletes in other sports in which the NCAA conducts championships competition. A total of 154 such scholarships are awarded annually by the Association.

To qualify, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.000 (4.000 scale) or its equivalent and must have performed with distinction as a member of the varsity team in the sport in which the student-athlete was nominated.

The student-athlete also must intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree as a full-time graduate student. In addition, the student-athlete must have behaved, both on and off the field, in a manner that has brought credit to the student-athlete, the institution and intercollegiate athletics.

Following are the accomplishments of the 1995-96 NCAA postgraduate scholarship winners in basketball:

Men's Division I

Todd Douglas Fuller (North Carolina State University, 3.971 grade-point average in applied mathematics) -- Fuller recently was named the 1996 GTE Academic All-America Team Member of the Year in the men's university division. Fuller averaged more than 20 points per game during his senior season and averaged in double figures in scoring for three of his four years at North Carolina State. He also grabbed more than 10 rebounds per game this year. Fuller also was a 1995 GTE first-team academic all-American and is the 1996 Paine Webber ABC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Fuller's postgraduate interests are in mathematics, particularly statistics.

Jonathan James Kinloch (Gonzaga University, 3.698 grade-point average in finance and marketing) -- Kinloch played in and started all but one regular-season game for Gonzaga, scoring a season-high 26 points against California State University, Fullerton. He scored in double figures in six straight games midway through the season and had averages of more than 13 points and four rebounds per game late in the season. A 1995 Rhodes Scholarship applicant, Kinloch also is a nine-time member of Gonzaga's dean's list. He will seek a postgraduate degree in business administration or sports management upon graduation.

Rusty Lee LaRue (Wake Forest University, 3.270 grade-point average in computer science) -- A two-sport star, LaRue was the Deacons' third leading scorer during the year and helped lead them to the NCAA tournament, where they lost to eventual Division I champion Kentucky in the Midwest regional championship. He is second in school history with more than 135 three-point field goals and ranks fourth all-time in the Atlantic Coast Conference in three-point shooting percentage. Also Wake Forest's starting quarterback in football, LaRue established eight NCAA records for passing and total offense in 1995. Named the school's 1995 scholar-athlete of the year, LaRue plans to pursue a career in athletics before seeking a postgraduate degree in business administration or medical engineering.

Mark Edward Pope (University of Kentucky, 3.690 grade-point average in English) -- Pope was a key substitute and spot starter for the national-champion Wildcats in 1995-96, averaging more than eight points and five rebounds per game. He was named to the 1995 all-Southeastern Conference tournament team after compiling 47 points and 27 rebounds in three games. He led the team in rebounding in 1994-95 and shot better than 47 percent from three-point range. A two-time SEC all-academic selection, Pope also was a two-time Pacific-10 Conference all-academic choice when he played at the University of Washington. He hopes to continue his studies in English while in graduate school.

Robert Terry Prince (Virginia Military Institute, 3.954 grade-point average in civil engineering) -- Prince captained a Keydet team that completed a 17-9 season, its best since 1921. Prince was a record-setting point guard, establishing school bests in assists and steals. He finished his career as Virginia Military's second all-time leader in assists. He led the Southern Conference in assists and free-throw percentage in 1994-95. A Southern Conference all-academic selection, Prince also is a 1996 third-team GTE academic all-American. Prince will begin postgraduate work in civil engineering next fall.

Men's Divisions II and III

Brett Daniel Beeson (Moorhead State University, 3.730 grade-point average in business administration) -- Named the 1996 GTE Academic All-America Team Member of the Year in the men's college division, Beeson averaged more than 32 points per game and finished the year as Division II's leading scorer. Beeson shot better than 50 percent from the field this year and also averaged more than eight rebounds per contest. In addition, he ranked among Division II leaders in steals. He scored a career-high 49 points against Southwest State University last season and recorded 48 points against North Dakota State University in December. Beeson plans to pursue a postgraduate degree in business administration.

Gregory A. Belinfanti (New York University, 3.690 grade-point average in politics) -- A two-time all-University Athletic Association selection, Belinfanti scored more than 1,000 career points at New York University and led the UAA in scoring, rebounding and field-goal percentage in 1995-96. He holds four UAA rebounding records. A 1996 second-team GTE academic all-American, Belinfanti also was a state finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship in 1995, a 1995 East Coast Athletic Conference scholar-athlete and a National Merit Scholar. A member of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Belinfanti plans to attend law school.

Jeremy P. Cole (Kalamazoo College, 3.704 grade-point average in political science, economics and business administration) -- A three-time all-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association selection, Cole averaged more than 17 points and five rebounds per game as a senior and helped lead Kalamazoo to its first appearance in the Division III tournament. He finished his career as Kalamazoo's second all-time leading scorer with 1,644 points. He also accumulated 521 career rebounds and 444 assists. Cole is a 1996 second-team GTE academic all-American and a four-year member of the MIAA academic honor roll. He plans to pursue a law degree.

John David Pike (Occidental College, 3.890 grade-point average in economics) -- A four-year starter at Occidental, Pike averaged in double figures in scoring during his entire career and finished as the school's fifth all-time leading scorer. A first-team all-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference choice in 1994-95, Pike also was named Occidental's rookie of the year as a freshman, most improved player as a sophomore and most valuable player as a junior. A 1996 third-team GTE academic all-American, Pike plans to pursue either a master's degree in business administration or a Ph.D in economics.

Keith John Wolff [Trinity College (Connecticut), 3.650 grade-point average in economics] -- Wolff completed his career as Trinity's second all-time leading scorer with 1,440 points in 78 games, all of which he started. He holds five school records, including best career free-throw percentage, most points in a game and a season, and most three-point field goals in a game and a career. A two-time all-New England Small College Athletic Conference choice, Wolff also was an all-regional selection in 1994-95. He was named a 1996 first-team GTE academic all-American after being a third-team choice in 1995. Wolff will seek a master's degree in business administration.

Men's at large

Scott Samuel Brown (Rhodes College, 3.730 grade-point average in mathematics) -- Brown became a full-time starter for Rhodes by his junior season and averaged more than 11 points and eight rebounds per game during the final two years of his career. He led the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in rebounding as a junior and was named to the SCAC first team in 1994-95. Brown was president of the Rhodes student government as a senior and has been a member of the student association since his sophomore year. Named Mr. Rhodes in 1995, Brown also was a GTE academic all-District IV selection that year. He plans to enter law school next fall.

Eric Jay Franson (Utah State University, 3.360 grade-point average in civil and environmental engineering) -- Franson ranks among Utah State's all-time leaders in 16 statistical categories. He scored in double figures in 56 consecutive games, which is the second longest streak in school history. Franson is a two-time first-team all-Big West Conference selection and was named the conference's player of the year in 1994-95. A 1996 first-team GTE academic all-American, Franson also is a two-time Big West all-academic choice. He plans to study water resource management in graduate school.

Nico Tyrone Harrison (Montana State University-Bozeman, 3.621 grade-point average in biomedical science) -- A three-time all-Big Sky Conference forward, Harrison averaged in double figures for three years and was twice named the team's most valuable player. He compiled a career shooting percentage of better than 60 percent and was the Big Sky's field-goal percentage leader in 1994-95. A 1996 second-team GTE academic all-American, Harrison also is a three-time Big Sky all-academic choice. He plans to enter medical school and study to be an orthopedic surgeon.

Scott Michael Schwartz (Wittenberg University, 3.852 grade-point average in biology) -- Schwartz averaged 12 points and more than six rebounds per game for the Tigers and helped lead them to a third straight appearance in the Division III tournament. He was named to the North Coast Athletic Conference's first team this year and shared honors as Wittenberg's most valuable player. A 1996 second-team GTE academic all-American, Schwartz also is a perennial dean's list student. He has been accepted at the Ohio State University College of Optometry, where he will begin graduate work in September.

Men's alternates

Randy R. Reid, Brigham Young University; Darryl L. Franklin, American University; David Scott Harbour, Stanford University; Darrin Michael Hubert, University of Rochester.

Women's Division I

Rebecca Kay Flynn (Creighton University, 3.971 grade-point average in psychology) -- Flynn has been a regular starter during her four-year career at Creighton, despite two bouts with anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The first occurred during the final game of the 1994-95 regular season and the second occurred just seven games into this past season. Still, Flynn was twice named the team's most valuable player and ranks among the school's career leaders in several categories. She is third in school history in steals and holds the mark for most steals in a game (nine), which she accomplished twice. A two-time all-Missouri Valley Conference selection, Flynn also is a three-time MVC all-academic choice. She plans to study clinical psychology in graduate school.

Jennifer Marie Rizzotti (University of Connecticut, 3.456 grade-point average in biological sciences) -- Rizzotti recently was named the 1996 GTE Academic All-America Team Member of the Year in the women's university division, the second Connecticut player in as many years to be so honored. Rizzotti earned 1996 Big East Conference player-of-the-year honors after leading Connecticut to the Division I semifinals. Rizzotti averaged 11 points and six assists per game this season and was named a first-team all-American by The Associated Press and United Press International. She plans to study sports physiology in graduate school.

Laura D. Sale (University of Portland, 3.830 grade-point average in secondary education) -- This year's West Coast Conference player of the year, Sale is a three-time first-team all-WCC selection. She completed her career as the conference's seventh leading all-time scorer. She averaged more than 19 points and five rebounds per game in 1995-96 and was a United Press International honorable mention all-American. A 1996 first-team GTE academic all-American, Sale also is a first-team WCC all-academic choice. She plans to seek a postgraduate degree in secondary education.

Katherine May Smith (Ohio State University, 3.480 grade-point average in zoology) -- Smith completed her career as the Big Ten Conference's all-time leading scorer with 2,430 points. The 1995-96 Big Ten player of the Year, Smith also was named a Kodak all-American. She has been a member of the U.S. national team at the Goodwill Games and the World University Games. She also was named freshman of the year by Sports Illustrated in 1992-93. A 1996 first-team GTE academic all-American, Smith also is a three-time Big Ten all-academic choice and a four-time Ohio State scholar-athlete. She plans to attend the Ohio State College of Dentistry upon graduation.

Tricia L. Wakely (Drake University, 3.990 grade-point average in pharmacy) -- The 1996 Missouri Valley Conference player of the year, Wakely led the league in scoring, rebounding and field-goal percentage this season. She completed her career as the conference's seventh all-time leading scorer and established marks for most career free throws made. She is a Kodak honorable mention all-American and a two-time first-team all-MVC choice. A 1996 first-team GTE academic all-American, Wakely also is a three-time MVC all-academic selection and a 1996 Rawlings scholar-athlete of the year. She plans to attend medical school beginning in the fall of 1997.

Women's Divisions II and III

Jennifer Marie Clarkson (Abilene Christian University, 3.443 grade-point average in interdisciplinary studies and elementary education) -- Clarkson holds five school records, including consecutive games scoring in double figures, field-goal percentage, free throws made and attempted, and assist average in a season. She has scored 30 or more points in a game 10 times, including 39 points twice in 1995. She has recorded five "triple-doubles" (points, rebounds and assists). She completed her career averaging more than 20 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals per game. A 1996 first-team GTE academic all-American, Clarkson also is a two-time Lone Star Conference all-academic selection. She will begin pursuit of a master's degree in education in the fall of 1997.

Kelly Ann Cobb (University of Denver, 3.970 grade-point average in finance) -- Cobb ranks as Denver's 10th all-time leading scorer with 1,119 points in 109 games, fourth all-time leading rebounder with 778 and fifth in field-goal percentage at better than 49 percent. A first-team Colorado Athletic Conference selection, Cobb also was named Denver's most valuable player in 1994-95. A two-time CAC all-academic choice, Cobb also is a perennial dean's list student and a member of the Mortar Board National Honor Society. She plans to pursue a master's degree in business administration.

Jennifer Teal Kohler (Randolph-Macon College, 3.220 grade-point average in biology) -- Kohler helped lead Randolph-Macon to its first Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship this year and its first appearance in the Division III tournament. Kohler ranked among national leaders in steals and three-point field goals made per game and was named the ODAC player of the year. She led the team in scoring, assists and steals and was named to the all-ODAC team for a fourth straight year. Kohler also is the school's all-time leading point scorer in soccer and holds a national record with seven assists in a game. She plans to study physical therapy in graduate school.

Sara E. Musser (Kalamazoo College, 3.963 grade-point average in health sciences) -- A 1996 second-team GTE academic all-American, Musser also is a four-time member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association honor roll. Musser was named to the MIAA first team for the second time after averaging more than 17 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior. She also led the team in steals and assists. She finished her career as Kalamazoo's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. She is the first Kalamazoo woman to score more than 1,000 career points and collect more than 750 rebounds. Musser plans to enter medical school in August.

Kari E. Tufte (Luther College, 3.520 grade-point average in biology) -- Tufte completed her career as Luther's all-time leading scorer and rebounder and ranked among national leaders in both categories. She also tops school charts in career field-goal percentage and is second in blocked shots. She is a three-time first-team all-Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection and a three-time Kodak all-American. A 1996 third-team GTE academic all-American, Tufte also is a two-time IIAC all-academic choice. She plans to study physical therapy in graduate school.

Women's at large

Teresa Lyn James (Colorado State University, 3.640 grade-point average in animal science and biological science) -- James is a record-setting center at Colorado State, having established nine school marks and three Western Athletic Conference bests. Her 10 blocks against Baylor University is a school and conference record, and she is the WAC's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. She posted career averages of more than 16 points and eight rebounds per contest. James is a two-time all-WAC selection and a two-time conference all-academic choice. She will enroll in Colorado State's animal science graduate program in the spring of 1997.

Lauren Marie Maney (College of the Holy Cross, 3.280 grade-point average in economics and accounting) -- Maney captained the Crusaders for two seasons and started every game in the last three years. She is the Patriot League's all-time leading scorer and she holds league marks in field goals made and attempted. She also is among school leaders in career assists and steals. Maney was the Patriot League's player of the year in 1994-95 and is a three-time all-league selection. A two-time District I GTE academic choice, Maney has accepted an auditing position with Arthur Andersen in Boston and will begin postgraduate work in accounting in the fall of 1998.

Jennifer Dawn Pracht (Pittsburg State University, 4.000 grade-point average in biology/premedicine) -- Named the 1996 GTE Academic All-America Team Member of the Year in the women's college division, Pracht is a two-time captain of a Pittsburg State squad that advanced to the Division II tournament twice during her four-year tenure. Pracht averaged more than 16 points and eight rebounds per game this year. She is a two-time second-team all-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association selection and a three-time MIAA player of the week. Also named a GTE academic all-American in 1994-95, Pracht intends to pursue a master's degree in sports physical therapy beginning this fall.

Candace Rae Tefertiller (Mount Olive College, 4.000 grade-point average in biology) -- Tefertiller posted season averages of more than 13 points and five rebounds per game this year. She also has been one of Mount Olive's top three-point threats over the last two seasons, making more than 40 percent of her attempts. A Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference all-league selection, Tefertiller