April 3, 2008
Columbia, Mo. - Missouri senior gymnast Julie Abaray (Cincinnati, Ohio) has received the NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics announced by the NCAA today. She is one of 26 nation-wide winners who earned the $6,000 nonrenewable scholarship. With the scholarship, Abaray becomes the second gymnast in as many years to be awarded with the prestigious scholarship. Former Tiger Amanda Pezzullo received the award last year. The Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics programs were developed by the NCA Committee on Women's Athletics and the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee. The NCAA awards 13 scholarships to ethnic minorities and 13 scholarships to female college graduates who will be entering their initial year of postgraduate studies. The applicant must be seeking admission or have been accepted into a sports administration or related program that will help the applicant obtain a career in intercollegiate athletics, such as athletics administrator, coach, athletic trainer or other career that provides a direct service to intercollegiate athletics. Abaray is one of four current Tiger seniors and has been one of the Tigers top performers during her four years at Mizzou. Abaray is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 and NACGC/W Scholar athlete recipient and has matched her success in the classroom in the gym. Abaray has battled back from off-season knee surgery to compete on the beam in each of the last two meets, tallying a high of 9.800.
During her time as a Tiger, Abaray has accumulated career best of 9.925 on beam, 9.900 on floor and 9.850 on bars, making her one of the best three-event gymnasts in Tiger history. Abaray has also been awarded with the Varsity M Association's Female Student Athlete of the Year in 2006 and earned the Mizzou '39 Award this year. The Mizzou '39 Award is given to 39 Mizzou seniors by the Missouri Alumni Association. The award recognizes seniors at the University of Missouri based on their outstanding service, academic achievement and leadership. Abaray is one of two student athletes to earn the award this year and only the fourth student-athlete at Mizzou to have won the award. Abaray also serves as a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council.
Abaray will graduate in May with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and continue her pursuit of a career in collegiate athletics. Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship Awardees Julie Abaray, Missouri Lauren Askey, Lynchburg Jillian Austin, Loyola Marymount Amanda Friedline, Hope Carolyn Hrusovsky, Bowling Green Katie McKee, Redlands Jennifer Myhre, Messiah Rebekah Porter, New Hampshire Natalie Schembra, Coker Christin Shibley, San Diego State Krystal Stein, Southern Illinois Ashley Thomas LSU Rachel Zollner, Metropolitan State
Ethnic Minority Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship Awardees Lacee Carmon, Rice Bryan Collier, Virginia Tech Riana Czapla, Brockport State Kelly Gonzalez, Guilford Danetta Gutierrez, UC Santa Barbara Chelsea Joslin, Ozarks (Arkansas) Jaimie McFarlin, Washington U. in St. Louis Rodolfo Mondragon, UC Irvine Theodius, Oates, South Carolina-Aiken Marco Pineda, Gonzaga McKenzie Price, Oklahoma State Sasha Sullivan, Denver Brittney Vaughn, Arkansas