The Freedom Forum, in conjunction with the NCAA, has awarded eight $3,000 scholarships for undergraduate students studying sports journalism at NCAA member institutions.

The one-year, nonrenewable scholarships are awarded to students who are entering their senior year of study during the 2008-09 academic year and who are majoring in journalism, sports journalism or who have campus sports journalism experience. The program is designed to foster freedoms of speech and press, while also promoting quality sports journalism education at NCAA colleges and universities. Since 1992, the Freedom Forum has awarded 128 scholarships totaling more than $384,000.

The 2008-09 Freedom Forum/NCAA Sports Journalism Scholarship recipients are: 

• Amy Brittain, Louisiana State University
• Mark J. Dent, University of Kansas
• Baxter T. Holmes, University of Oklahoma
• Carlton D. Holmes, Wilkes University
• William J. Oram, University of Montana
• DeAntae D. Prince, Indiana University, Bloomington
• Alexander A. Pyles, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• Ishita Singh, New York University

“The Freedom Forum scholarships continue to provide bright, energetic students with an opportunity to further their education and prepare for future careers,” said Charles L. Overby, chair and chief executive officer of the Freedom Forum. “The program continues to excel, especially as we see our past recipients obtain key positions in the news industry.”

The Freedom Forum, with offices in Arlington, Virginia, and at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit foundation dedicated to free press, free speech and free spirit for all people. The foundation focuses on three priorities: the Newseum (the interactive museum of news in Arlington, Virginia), First Amendment issues and diversity in journalism.

Applications for the scholarships are due in December of each year and are judged by a selection committee chosen by the Freedom Forum and the NCAA. In addition to completing the application form, students must supply a college transcript, three samples of sports journalism work and a letter of recommendation.