ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – Mitchell Forde, who will enroll at the University of Missouri as a freshman in the fall, has been selected the winner of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association's scholarship given annually to the son or daughter of a USBWA member.

Forde

Mitchell is the son of longtime USBWA member Pat Forde of Yahoo! Sports.

The scholarship is a $1,000 grant awarded annually by the USBWA for four years.

Mitchell, who plans to study journalism at Missouri, graduated in the spring from Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Ky., with a 4.0 grade-point average and a weighted GPA of 4.93.

"I would like to pursue a career in any of several different areas of journalism," wrote Forde in his application for the scholarship. "My main interests are sports journalism, political journalism and outdoor journalism."

Mitchell excelled both academically and as a student-athlete at Saint Xavier. He was a National Merit semifinalist, was on the Principal's List all four years in school and was a two-time recipient of the Academic Athlete Award for the Saint Xavier swim team.

He also was editor-in-chief of the high school newspaper, was a member of the National Honor Society and served as captain of the swim team, which won the school's 25th straight state championship. In addition, Mitchell was a volunteer for many events on campus and in the Louisville community.

"Mitchell was a standout among several outstanding candidates," said Frank Burlison, chair of the USBWA Scholarship Committee. "His academic record, with a curriculum dominated by Honors and Advance Placement courses, was amazing. His accomplishments as a swimmer, writer and volunteer were also very impressive."

Carrie Foster, Mitchell's college counselor at Saint Xavier, wrote in her letter of recommendation: "Mitchell was one of our most talented students academically and a dynamic young man and athlete."

Mitchell's swim coach at Saint Xavier, Todd Larkin, wrote: "Without qualification, I would place Mitchell among the highest level of any young man whom I've had the pleasure to coach. He has served as an excellent role model for our program."

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.