Texas student-athletes named 2020 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars
By Steve Lansdale
AUSTIN, Texas — Fourteen Texas student-athletes have been named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars for the 2019-20 season. The awards honor undergraduate students of color who exemplify the highest standards of scholarship, athleticism and humanitarianism.
The 14 honorees include:
• Joanne Allen-Taylor (women’s basketball / Mechanical Engineering)
• Claudine Blancaflor (women’s track and field / Applied Learning & Development)
• Diana Cañas (rowing / Human Development & Family Science)
• Logan Eggleston (volleyball / Undeclared)
• Kamaka Hepa (men's basketball / Sport Management)
• Roschon Johnson (football / Undeclared)
• Moro Ojomo (football / Business)
• Paola Pineda (women's swimming & diving / Physical Culture & Sports)
• Beth Ramos (women's track & field / Exercise Science)
• Ishan Rison (football / Biochemistry)
• Samantha Shulhan (women's track & field / Biology: Human Biology)
• Tecora Turner (soccer / Public Health)
• Jaylene Vu (women's track & field / Biology)
• Kelly Xac (women's golf / Accounting — Professional)
The awards require student-athletes to be productive both athletically and academically. Nominees must compete must compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 and be active on their campuses or in their communities. First awarded in 1992, the awards were inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.'s commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis.
In addition to their athletic ability and academic performance, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars demonstrate a commitment to community service and student leadership. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine dedicates an edition every year honoring student-athletes for their commitment to excellence. The NCAA Office of Inclusion has partnered with Diverse to support this standout class of scholar-athletes.
