The NCAA has awarded 12 postgraduate scholarships and named three alternates through the Women's Enhancement Program, which was established in 1988 to create better opportunities for women in coaching, athletics administration, officiating and athletics support services.

This year's postgraduate scholarships are being awarded to women who have completed an undergraduate degree and are seeking admission or have been accepted to an NCAA member institution's sports administration program or related program that will assist the applicant in obtaining a career in athletics.

To be considered for a postgraduate scholarship, applicants must express an interest in preparing for a professional career in athletics administration. The one-time award is valued at $6,000.

Applicants must be entering their first semester or term of postgraduate studies and must have performed with distinction as student-body members at their respective undergraduate institutions. The applicants' involvement with extracurricular activities, course work, commitment to the pursuit of a career in intercollegiate athletics and promise for success in such a career also are factors in the selection process.

The accompanying biographical sketches of the 2000 scholarship recipients indicate the institution awarding the undergraduate degree and, if different, the institution where the postgraduate scholarship likely will be used.

Patti Brun (University of Hawaii, Manoa; California State University, Dominguez Hills)

Brun graduated in 1995 with a degree in music. While at Hawaii, she was a member of the softball team. Upon graduation, she played Ladies League Professional Baseball for three years. Brun joined on as an assistant softball coach at Cal State Dominguez Hills in 1998 and is looking to earn her master's degree there in physical education administration.

Carey Jin Dorn (University of Connecticut)

Dorn captained the Connecticut women's soccer team in 1999 and was a National Soccer Coaches Association of America all-American that same year. She was a member of the dean's list and the recipient of the Eblens Leonard Seaman scholarship as well as the A.J. Pappanirou Unsung Hero award. She graduated in 2000 with a degree in sports marketing and will pursue her master's degree in sports management in the fall.

Stacy Duffell (University of the Incarnate Word; Angelo State University)

As a two-sport (basketball and softball) athlete at Incarnate Word, Duffell managed to mirror her athletics success with success in the classroom. She graduated in 2000 with a degree in physical education. Her name appeared on the dean's list every semester and she was the recipient of several scholar-athlete awards. As the Incarnate Word athlete of the year, Duffell led the basketball team to two Heart of Texas Conference championships and a runner-up finish in softball. She was the conference defensive player of the year in basketball. In the fall, Duffell will pursue her master's degree in kinesiology from Angelo State.

Kerryn Lynn Guenther (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Ohio University)

Guenther graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in sociology from Virginia Tech in 2000. She was captain of her soccer team and the female scholar-athlete of the year for her school. Guenther participated in the Virginia Tech honors program, was a dean's scholarship recipient and was a member of the Gamma Beta Phi honor society. She hopes to obtain her master's degree from Ohio in a dual business and sports administration program.

Maureen Matchett (University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Tulane University)

Matchett graduated in 1999 with a degree in secondary education. While at UNLV, she co-coordinated the campus United Way campaign and volunteered 15 hours per week at a food shelter for disadvantaged families. Before her enrollment at UNLV, Matchett was an active volunteer and member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma honor society at Solano Community College. She hopes to earn her law degree from Tulane.

Chantel Nicole Mize (Texas Lutheran University; Colorado State University)

Mize graduated in 2000 with a degree in kinesiology/sports management. As a member of the varsity basketball team, she earned all-conference honors and Kodak all-American honorable mention honors in 1998 and 1999. In 1999, Mize was named a GTE Academic All-American and a Women's Basketball Coaches Association all-American honorable mention. She was vice-president of her school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes and president of the student-athlete advisory council. Mize is looking to earn her master's degree in exercise science and nutrition beginning this fall.

Lori St. Germain (College of the Holy Cross; University of Georgia)

As coxswain for the Holy Cross varsity rowing team, St. Germain earned Patriot League, New England and Champion International medals. She extended her leadership skills to the campus community where she acted as an orientation leader for first-year students and assisted with student programs for urban development. A Phi Beta Kappa selection, St. Germain graduated magna cum laude in 1999 with a degree in psychology. She currently is pursuing her master's degree in sport management from Georgia.

Jennifer Renee Smith (Grambling State University; Georgia State University)

In 1997, Smith graduated magna cum laude from Grambling with a degree in mass communications. She was a president's merit scholar and a member of the dean's list. Smith held membership in several pre-professional student organizations. She was president of her school's National Association of Black Journalists chapter and a public relations intern at Essence magazine. She is pursuing her master's degree in sports administration/sports marketing and promotions from Georgia State.

Lori Virginia Smith (Texas Tech University)

Smith graduated in 2000 with a degree in exercise sports and sciences from Texas Tech. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority where she participated in numerous philanthropic activities. As a student, Smith received the Fitzsimmons Army Base Scholarship, the Athletics Academic Scholarship for Athletic Trainers and the Harmon Dot Scholarship. She had to turn down several scholarship nominations due to her decision to graduate early. Smith will pursue her master's degree in sport administration at her alma mater in the fall.

Brianne Smithson (St. Mary's College of Maryland; University of California, Davis, or Bucknell University)

Smithson graduated in 2000 with a degree in English. While at St. Mary's (Maryland), she was a member of both the varsity soccer and lacrosse teams. She was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary and the dean's list, and an all-conference academic award winner. Smithson interned for her school's sports information office and acted as a student assistant soccer coach for her team in spring 1999. She plans to earn her master's degree in business administration in the fall.

Loren Thouvenot (University of South Carolina, Columbia)

A two-time captain of the Gamecocks' track and field team, Thouvenot managed to balance academics and athletics participation to earn her degree in a dual major: sports administration/business administration and marketing. She interned in the South Carolina sports information office and volunteered in and around the campus community. Thouvenot plans to pursue a master's degree in business administration from South Carolina beginning in fall 2000 or spring 2001.

Tina Marie Westerhold (Nebraska Wesleyan University; University of Wisconsin, La Crosse)

Westerhold graduated in 2000 from Nebraska Wesleyan with a degree in sports management. She was a member of the volleyball team and earned numerous team accolades. She also was a member of the Phi Epsilon Kappa and the Cardinal Key academic honor societies. In addition to interning for the sports information office, Westerhold served on the executive board of the Health and Human Performance club and was an orientation leader for new students. She will pursue her master's degree in sports administration from Wisconsin-La Crosse in the fall.

Alternates

Taryn Brackin (Ursinus College; Temple University or West Chester University)

This all-American lacrosse player also played for the varsity basketball team. She graduated in 2000 with a degree in psychology and was a member of the Psi Chi Psychological Honor Society and vice-president of the Alpha Sigma Nu service sorority. Her volunteer activities included the Philadelphia AIDS Walk and assisting the Montgomery County Association of Retarded Citizens and the United Church of Christ Food Bank. Brackin will pursue her master's degree in sports management.

Lauren Mackey (Morehead State University)

Mackey was an outstanding player for the Morehead State volleyball team. She was her team's MVP in 1996 and 1997 as well as a four-time all-Ohio Valley Conference selection. Mackey serves on the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), advised her campus SAAC and was a member of her school's fiscal integrity committee. She graduated in December 1999 with a degree in exercise science. She is looking to earn her master's degree in sports administration from Morehead State.

Caroline Michelle Townsend (Northern Illinois University)

An Intercollegiate Tennis Association academic all-American tennis player for Northern Illinois, Townsend has received numerous scholarships and awards for her academic and athletics abilities. In addition to captaining the tennis team, Townsend served as the team's student athletic trainer. She will graduate in August 2000 with a degree in fitness leadership/physical education and will pursue her master's degree in exercise physiology at Northern Illinois beginning this fall.