Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Five Valparaiso University student-athletes received the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards as selected by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine. The award recognizes minority undergraduate students who have made achieving both academically and athletically a winning combination.

To be eligible for the honor, students have to be an intercollegiate athlete, maintain at least a 3.2 grade point average, and be active on their campus and in the community.

Earning the Arthur Ashe Jr. Awards are:

Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South H.S.), named to the Volleyball First Team and was the top overall volleyball player selected. The psychology major has a 3.72 grade point average.

Adam Rundh (Aalborg, Denmark/Orjanskolan [Sweden] H.S.), named to the Football First Team.  The defensive lineman has a 3.93 cumulative grade point average as an international business and finance major.

Windy Santa Cruz (Fall Creek, Wis./Fall Creek H.S.), named to the Women’s Track and Field First Team.  She has a 3.90 cumulative GPA as a chemistry major. 

James Shang (Shanghai, China/Concordia International H.S.), named to the Men’s Swimming First Team.  Shang carries a 3.54 GPA as a management and psychology double major.

Ashley Varner (South Bend, Ind./Washington H.S.), named to the Women’s Basketball Second Team.  The forward has a 3.70 cumulative GPA as a psychology major.