Joe Mitch

USBWA's scholarship program will aid member's son or daughter

By JOE MITCH
USBWA Executive Director
mitch@usbwa.com

Tweet

The USBWA has established a scholarship program for college-age children of dues-paying members.

A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to the son or daughter of a USBWA member who is entering college next fall as a freshman or is enrolled in a junior college or four-year institution and plans to return to school in the fall.

The scholarship is renewable each year that the student remains in school, up to a maximum of four years, takes a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and maintains a minimum 3.0 grade point average in college.

Only one scholarship will be awarded each year other than to those students who have their scholarships renewed.

The scholarships will be awarded to students who have demonstrated academic excellence and show achievement in citizenship and leadership in a community activity.

The deadline to apply is March 15, 2013. The application below is also available online on the USBWA website at usbwa.com. Applications should be sent to me at mitch@usbwa.com.

The student selected to receive the scholarship will be notified no later than June 1, 2013.

•

USBWA AWARDS: Nominations are being accepted for the USBWA Hall of Fame, Most Courageous and Rising Star awards.

The Hall of Fame was established in 1988 to honor members, past and present, who have either made significant contributions to the organization or are renowned for their achievements as a sports writer covering college basketball.

A committee comprised of current Hall of Fame members and a USBWA officer reviews the nominations and selects the inductees.

Last year's inductees were Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News; Peter Finney of the New Orleans Times-Picayune; and Tom Cushman, retired from the San Diego Union-Tribune.Send nominations for the Hall of Fame to me at mitch@usbwa.com.

The USBWA Most Courageous Award is the organization's third-oldest award behind the Oscar Robertson Player of the Year Trophy and the Henry Iba Coach of the Year Award. It is presented to one male and one female recipient, recognizing individuals in college basketball for demonstrating extraordinary courage in the face of hardship and adversity.

Last year's winners were Bernard James, an Iraq-war veteran who didn't begin playing college basketball at Florida State until he was 24, and Pat Summitt, the legendary Tennessee women's coach who announced her retirement after being diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Most Courageous nominations should be sent to third vice president Frank Burlison at frank.burlison@gmail.com.

The Rising Star Award is presented annually to a member under 30 for journalistic excellence as a sports writer. Last year's winner was Steve Yanda of the Washington Post. Send nominations to USBWA President John Akers at johna19081@gmail.com.

All three awards will be announced in March and presented at the USBWA's annual awards breakfast at the Final Four in Atlanta in April.