April 22, 2005

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Four Missouri student-athletes - track-and-field teammates Margaret Ibe and Neville Miller, women's basketball's Christelle N'Garsanet and Brad Ekwerekwu from the Tiger football team - have been named 2005 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars. Ibe and Miller were named to the list's first team, while Ekwerekwu and N'Garsanet earned third-team plaudits.

Black Issues In Higher Education established the Sports Scholars Awards to honor undergraduate students of color who have made achieving academically and athletically a winning combination. Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.'s commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis, each year we invite every postsecondary institution in the country to participate in this awards program by nominating their outstanding sports scholars. In addition to their athletic ability, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must exhibit academic excellence, as well as community activism.

To be included, students have to compete in an intercollegiate sport; maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2; and be active on their campuses or communities.