2018

Diverse: Issues In Higher Education sponsors the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards to honor students of color who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic field. Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Jr.'s commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis, U.S. colleges and universities are invited to participate in this annual awards program by nominating their outstanding sports scholars. In addition to their athletic ability and academic performance, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars demonstrate a commitment to community service and student leadership.

Male Winner

BLAISE-TAYLOR
Blaise Taylor - Football

School: Arkansas State University
Year: 2018
Major: Business Administration

Female Winner

HALEY-CLARK
Haley Clark - Basketball

School: University of Georgia
Year: 2018
Major: Financial Planning

Male Sport Finalists

JUSTIN-ZHANG
Justin Zhang - Tennis

School: University of California
Major: Human Biology

LEROY-CARTER
Leroy (Jevon) Carter - Basketball

School: West Virginia University
Major: Sports Management

Female Sport Finalists

SAMANTHA-KOKOSKA
Samantha Kokoska - Soccer

School: University of Washington
Major: Bioengineering

SIMONE-CHARLEY
Simone Charley - Track/Soccer

School: Vanderbilt University
Major: Medicine, Health and Society

More About This Program:

As the name denotes, the annual Ashe edition is part of the magazine’s quarter-century legacy of recognizing young, outstanding minority men and women who have distinguished themselves in their academic and athletic pursuits.

In addition to their athletic ability, students named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5, be at least a sophomore academically and be active on their campuses or in their communities.