Thirty-nine Jackson State University student-athletes from 10 sports have been honored as 2016 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars, which recognizes those who have achieved high standards of scholarship, athleticism and humanitarianism. These students were recognized from a pool of more than 600 student-athletes who were nominated by their institution.
Each year Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine honors students of color who have made achieving both academically and athletically a winning combination. In order to qualify, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or higher through fall 2015, have completed one full academic year at the nominating institution, be enrolled for the fall term of the academic year being nominated, be an active member of an intercollegiate athletic team during the 2015-16 year and have a record of community service.
Fifteen JSU student-athletes were first-team selections: Bridget Robinson, Laura Uzell, Brandy Terrell, Tatyana Givens, Victoria Nelson, Canessa Swanson, D’Andrea Eashmond, Cliffaniqua Towbridge, Mark Watson, Ronza Anderson, Vincent Hunter, Ja’rius Moore, James Reede, Ryan Swanier and Keiven Russey.
Arthur Ashe Jr. was a top ranked tennis player in the 1960s and 70s and was the first African-American male tennis player to win a Grand Slam Tournament. His commitment to athletics, social justice, health and humanitarian issues left a mark on the world as indelible as his tennis was on the court. The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Award was initiated in 1992 as a way of celebrating college students who demonstrate the quest of excellence envisioned by the late tennis player and activist Arthur Ashe Jr.
Below is the complete list of JSU honorees.
Women’s Team
Bridget Robinson, Women’s Basketball, GPA 3.88, Mass Communications, 1st Team
My’Keyia Johnson, Women’s Basketball, GPA 3.40, Elementary Education, 4th Team
Krystal Nailer, Women’s Basketball, GPA 3.21, Criminal Justice, Honorable Mention
Laura Uzell, Bowling, GPA 3.84, Biology, 1st Team
Brandy Terrell, Golf, GPA 3.88, Mass Communications, 1st Team
Tatyana Givens, Softball, GPA 3.82, Biology, 1st Team
Victoria Nelson, Softball, GPA 3.75, Communicative Disorders, 1st Team
Canessa Swanson, Softball, GPA 4.00, Biology/Pre-Med, 1st Team, Finalist
D’Andrea Eashmond, Track, GPA 3.86, Criminal Justice, 1st Team
Cliffaniqua Towbridge, Track, GPA 3.80, Criminal Justice, 1st Team
Shannon Parker, Track, GPA 3.60, Accounting, 2nd Team
Aniecia Brewster, Track, GPA 3.42, Mass Communications, 3rd Team
Brionna Epes, Track, GPA 3.74, Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 3rd Team
Jeida Robertson, Track, GPA 3.49, Chemistry, 3rd Team
Tye’Reshina Taylor, Track, GPA 3.30, History, 4th Team
Men’s Team
Mark Watson, Baseball, GPA 4.00, Management, 1st Team
Anthony Stricklin, Baseball, GPA 3.25, Psychology, 2nd Team
Ronza Anderson, Football. GPA 3.68, Mass Communications, 1st Team
Vincent Hunter, Football, GPA 3.74, Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 1st Team
Ja’rius Moore, Football, GPA 3.64, Biology, 1st Team
Christian Marshall, Football, GPA 3.50, Finance, 2nd Team
Keontre Anderson, Football, GPA 3.80, Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 3rd Team
Markus Cook, Football, GPA 3.40, Special Education, 3rd Team
Jamal Hawkins, Football, GPA 3.49, Criminal Justice, 3rd Team
Javancy Jones, Football, GPA 3.37, Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 3rd Team
Brent Lyles, II, Football, GPA 3.60, Business Administration, 3rd Team
Demaris Peppers, Football, GPA 3.36, Professional Interdisciplinary Studies, 3rd Team
Asam Asam-Obi, Football, GPA 3.26, Undeclared, 4th Team
Shawn Bishop, Football, GPA 3.33, Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 4th Team
Romello Shumake, Football, GPA 3.23, Criminal Justice, 4th Team
Kenneth Tyler, Football, GPA 3.25, Professional Interdisciplinary Studies, 4th Team
James Reede, Golf, GPA 3.43, Biology, 1st Team
Ryan Swanier, Tennis, GPA 3.21, Civil Engineering, 1st Team
Keiven Russey, Track, GPA 3.80, Art, 1st Team
William Carroll, Track, GPA, 3.73, Civil Engineering, 2nd Team
Deon Holder, Track, GPA 3.44, Elementary Education, 2nd Team
Markus Jackson, Track, GPA 3.56, Electrical Engineering, 2nd Team
Tamarick Johnson, Track, GPA 3.44, Mass Communications, 3rd Team
Jerod Miller, Track, GPA 3.25, Mathematics, 3rd Team