ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – Larissa Liska, a senior at the University of Texas, has been named the winner of a $1,000 scholarship from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Liska

Liska, a senior journalism student from Three Rivers, Texas, was selected from a group of more than 50 students that attended "Full Court Press," the seminar at the Final Four. Liska is scheduled to graduate in May 2015 with a sports journalism certificate. She is an intern with FOX 7 Sports in Austin, where she films and reports from high school football and local college and professional sports.

She plays racquetball for the UT club team, and has advanced twice to the collegiate racquetball nationals. Liska films and edits 3D sports stories and works as a Resident Assistant.

Her career aspirations involve working with a news organization, sports team or sports network. Liska hopes to someday work as a sideline reporter for National Football League telecasts or to broadcast from the Olympic Games.

Kevin Robbins, a professor at the UT School of Journalism, said Liska is a passionate storyteller with an eye for telling detail and universal themes that go beyond the games.

"Larissa approaches every story with an exuberance for what’s possible," said Robbins, who teaches classes in sports journalism. "She's persistent, eager and rarely satisfied. I think that’s what drives her to produce work befitting this wonderful award. She makes the entire school of journalism proud."

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.