FAIRFAX, VA (March 31, 2020) – On May 28, 2020, Diverse: Issues In Higher Education will publish its annual Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars special report edition.
As the name denotes, this edition is a part of our quarter-century legacy of recognizing outstanding minority young men and women who have distinguished themselves in their academic and athletic pursuits.
In addition to their athletic ability, the students named 2020 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars are students of color who have maintained a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5, are at least a sophomore academically, and have been active on their campuses or in their communities. Of the close to 1,000 scholar athletes nominated, one male and one female athlete will be selected as Sports Scholar of the Year.
The female semi-finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
Carlene Luna, California State University-San Bernardino, Soccer
Thi Nguyen, Saint Joseph’s University, Track & Field
Erica Ogwumike, Rice University, Basketball
Brenna Shanahan, University of Louisville, Lacrosse
Faramola Shonekan, University of Missouri, Track & Field
Chanel Thomas, University of Mississippi, Soccer
Claire Zanti, North Carolina State University, Rifle
The male semi-finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
Rodrigo Blankenship, University of Georgia, Football
Aaron Boyd, Virginia Tech, Swimming & Diving
Talha Farooq, George Mason University, Wrestling
Uriel Garcia, University of Houston-Victoria, Soccer
Jordan Holly, Murray State University, Baseball
Joseph Medina, University of California-Merced, Volleyball
Rayden Murata, Pacific University, Tennis
Dontelius Ross, Jackson State University, Basketball
Matthias Schmid, University of Louisville, Golf
Givon Washington, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Track & Field
Past Ashe scholars include: Baylor University’s Robert Griffin III (2011); the University of Tennessee’s Kara Lawson (2003); San Diego State University’s Marshall Faulk (1993); and Stanford University’s Simone Manuel (2017) — a four-time Olympic medalist, just to name a few who have gone on to achieve great success.
The 2020 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year finalists and winners will be announced soon.
Published since 1984, Diverse: Issues In Higher Education is the nation’s only newsmagazine dedicated exclusively to diversity issues in higher education. Visit online at www.diverseeducation.com.
