The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- September 13, 1999

Enhancement program tabs 12 for postgraduate awards

The NCAA has awarded 12 postgraduate scholarships through the ethnic minority enhancement program. This is the 12th year of the program, which was established in 1987 as a result of a recommendation of the NCAA Council Subcommittee to Review Minority Opportunities in Intercollegiate Athletics. The program is aimed at creating better opportunities for ethnic minorities in coaching, athletics administration and officiating.

This year's postgraduate scholarships, awarded by the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, are being presented to ethnic minority applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree and have been accepted into a sports administration program or related program to help applicants obtain a career in athletics. Recipients must express an interest in preparing for a professional career in administration of athletics. The one-year scholarships are valued at $6,000.

The accompanying biographical sketches of 1999 scholarship recipients include the institutions awarding the recipient's undergraduate degree and, if different, the institution where the postgraduate scholarship likely will be used.

Krystal Beamon (Oklahoma State University) -- Beamon is a 1999 graduate from Oklahoma State, where she earned a degree in sociology. A 1999 NCAA all-American in track and field, Beamon also was involved in campus organizations. She served as vice-president, treasurer, social action chairperson and parliamentarian of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She was vice-president of the Minority Women's Association and a recipient of the OSU Black Alumni Association Scholarship Award For Academic Excellence. Beamon will attend graduate school at Oklahoma State and continue her studies in sociology.

Victoria Gomez (Portland State University) -- A 1999 graduate of Portland State, Gomez was a recipient of the Underrepresented Minorities Achievement Scholarship and the Bernard V. Burke Scholarship for History. A volleyball player at Portland State, Gomez served as president of the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Board and was named the Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1998-99. Gomez plans to attend Portland State and pursue a graduate degree in education.

Misha Hollingsworth (University of Texas at Dallas; Georgia State University) -- After graduating in 1997 from Texas-Dallas, Hollingsworth worked for LionsGroup, Inc., and for Streetball International, two sports promotional companies. While at Texas-Dallas, she was involved in community-service projects, including the Delta Sigma Theta public service sorority; Habitat For Humanity; AIDS Awareness; the Annie Pearl Foster Children's Center; and the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital. She plans to attend Georgia State to study sports administration.

Steven King [University of Michigan; Wayne State University (Michigan)] -- A double major at Michigan, King earned a degree in physical education and in sports marketing in 1997. While at Michigan, King assisted with several after-school programs at several local elementary schools. He also was involved in mentoring programs and served as an assistant academic advisor at Michigan following graduation. King plans to attend Wayne State to pursue a master's degree in sports administration.

Louella Lovely (California Polytechnic State University; University of California, Los Angeles or University of California, Berkeley) -- A volleyball player, Lovely was successful on and off the court. As team captain of the Cal Poly squad, Lovely also earned Big West Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors in 1998 and was awarded the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sport/Scholar Award in 1997 and 1998. Lovely plans to continue her studies at either UCLA or California.

Thinh Ly (University of Maine, Orono) -- Holder of four Maine records in track and field, Ly graduated in 1999 with a degree in kinesiology and physical education. Ly has a variety of experiences outside of the collegiate setting, including student teaching, assisting in coordination of the Master's USA Track and Field Championships and several community-service organizations. Ly plans to attend Maine and pursue a master's degree in exercise physiology.

Camille McGann (Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick) -- McGann graduated in May with a degree in biochemistry after serving in the U.S. Army for almost four years. While in the army, McGann was a nuclear, biological and chemical specialist. At Rutgers, McGann was a track and field standout. She also participated in the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference. She also was a two-time all-Big East academic team member. McGann plans to pursue an advanced degree in sports medicine and concentrate on orthopedics.

Melissa Pryor (Michigan State University; Yale University) -- An all-American in field hockey at Michigan State, Pryor earned a degree in social relations in May. Off the field, Pryor was a three-time all-Big Ten academic selection; a member of the Athletic Peer Leader organization; and she also received the Big Ten's Medal of Honor. Pryor plans to attend Yale and pursue a law degree.

Kara Riley (Mills College; University of San Francisco) -- A two-sport athlete while at Mills, Riley earned a degree in psychology in 1992. After graduation, she has served in numerous positions at Mills, most recently as assistant basketball coach. During her career at Mills, Riley set several records, including the career free-throw percentage mark. She plans to attend San Francisco and pursue a master's degree in sports and fitness management.

Aaron Robinson (Iowa State University; Ohio University) -- A 1999 graduate of Iowa State, Robinson was awarded the Frye & Bennett Academic Scholarship for his outstanding work in the area of sports management. After graduation, he worked as an intern for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, assisting with preparations for the group's 1999 convention. He plans to attend Ohio and pursue a degree in sports administration.

Shaka Smart (Kenyon College; California University of Pennsylvania) -- A three-time captain on the basketball team at Kenyon, Smart graduated with a degree in history in 1999. Smart holds the Kenyon record for assists in a season and in a career. A National Association of Basketball Coaches Academic Honor Roll selection, he was awarded the Cahall Scholarship, which is given to the top senior history major at Kenyon. Smart plans to attend California (Pennsylvania) to pursue a degree in social sciences.

Kelvin Wilder (North Carolina Central University; Florida State University) -- After graduating summa cum laude from North Carolina Central, Wilder has held internships with the Durham Bulls professional baseball team and with the Professional Golfer's Association Tour. He plans to attend Florida State and pursue a graduate degree in sports administration.