The NCAA News - News and Features

May 25, 1998

NACDA announces Sears Directors' Cup scholarship winners

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and Sears, Roebuck and Co., have named 12 NCAA students as recipients of the Sears Directors' Cup Postgraduate Scholarship Awards.

Four students from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics also were selected.

The winners each will receive a $5,000 grant to be used toward postgraduate studies. Additionally, a student from each institution that wins their respective division's Sears Directors' Cup also will receive a $5,000 scholarship, bringing to 20 the total number of scholarships that will be funded by Sears through the Sears Collegiate Champions program.

Athletics support-staff members were eligible for the awards, including students from academic support, band members, equipment-room managers, facility managers, sports information assistants, student coaches and trainers.

To be eligible for the award, nominees must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.000 or higher (based on a 4.000 scale), demonstrate involvement on the collegiate or community level and maintain full-time status as a senior.

The Sears Directors' Cup review committee was responsible for selecting the winners, who will receive their awards at NACDA's 33rd annual convention June 14-17. The NACDA Scholarship Awards Luncheon will be June 16.

The 12 NCAA winners are Melissa Jakeman, Auburn, academic support; Hally Rector, Oklahoma State, cheerleader; Stacy Romoser, Indiana State, athletic trainer; Catherine Wellman, Nebraska, athletics office assistant; Neely Burkhart, Missouri Southern State, athletic trainer; Paul Diaz, Cal Poly Pomona, athletic trainer; Lisa Gallion, Ashland, trainer, sports medicine and recreation administration; Lesley Milam, Texas Woman's, athletic trainer; Steven Blasi, York (Pennsylvania), athletic trainer; James Coile, Methodist, sports information assistant; Kerri Stellato, Chicago, athletic trainer; and Andrew Wetzel, Muskingum, athletic trainer.