July 02, 2009
St. John’s University’s student-athletes are consistently
being recognized for their outstanding contribution to sports and
academics – and this year is no exception. For their hard work and
dedication throughout the 2008-2009 academic year, 20 Red Storm athletes were
presented with the Diverse: Issues In Higher Education
magazine Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Award. Award recipients
from the University represent a total of eight St. John's NCAA
Division I athletic programs. The award, established in 1992,
acknowledges undergraduate student-athletes from diverse
backgrounds who have excelled both academically and
athletically.
"We are very proud of these student-athletes for representing us as
this year's Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars," said Chris Monasch,
Director of Athletics. "They are true models of what
student-athletes should be, having achieved success both in the
classroom and on the competition field."
Three St. John’s student-athletes were represented on the
Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars first team: Rene Cousins, a junior
from the women’s track and field team holding a 3.77 cumulative GPA
in legal studies; Jenai Mapp Watson, a junior from the women’s
fencing team who had a 3.56 cumulative GPA in actuarial science;
and Justin Burrell, a sophomore from the men’s basketball team who
earned a 3.39 cumulative GPA in communication arts.
The award was inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.’s
commitment to education, as well as his love for the game of
tennis. In addition to athletic ability and achievements on the
fields, courses and courts, the award winners must demonstrate
academic excellence in the classroom as well service to the
community.
To qualify for this award, students must compete in an
intercollegiate sport, complete at least one academic year of
course work, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 and be
active on their campuses as well as their communities.
Below is a list of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Award winners categorized by
team. Class and majors are listed in parentheses.
Men’s Basketball
First Team: Justin Burrell (Sophomore/Communication Arts)
Women’s Basketball
Third Team: Joy McCorvey (Junior/Childhood Education-Special
Education)
Third Team: Kristin Moore (Senior/Finance)
Honorable Mention: Sky Lindsay (Sophomore/Finance)
Women’s Cross Country, Track and
Field
First Team: Rene Cousins (Junior/Legal Studies)
Second Team: Tyneka Greene (Senior/Hospitality Management)
Third Team: Rakibat Abiola (Senior/Anthropology) *
Fourth Team: Bintou Dibba (Sophomore/Chemistry)
Fourth Team: Fayanne Francis (Junior/Health Services
Administration) *
Honorable Mention: Asia Davy (Junior/Sports Management)
Honorable Mention: Vanessa Thompson (Sophomore/Childhood
Education)
Women’s Fencing
First Team: Jenai Mapp Watson (Junior/Actuarial Science) *
Women’s Golf
Second Team: Samantha Tejada (Junior/Finance) *
Men’s Soccer
Second Team: Jara Habib (Junior/Finance)
Third Team: Ben Clack (Junior/Business)
Third Team: Adam Himeno (Junior/Business)
Women’s Soccer
Second Team: Tara Mendoza (Junior/Adolescent Education-Social
Studies) *
Third Team: Tatiana Duggan (Junior/Biology) *
Men’s Tennis
Second Team: Gustavo Loza (Senior/Economics)
Second Team: Jordan Talbot (Senior/Sports Management) *
* Denotes two-time Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar award winner.