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Austin Awarded NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
March 26, 2008
Senior Jill Austin has been awarded the prestigious NCAA Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship, the organization announced in early March. Austin is one of 13 female student-athletes from all NCAA divisions nationwide to be awarded the scholarship and the third LMU student-athlete in the last six years to gain the honor. A communications major from Newport Beach, CA, Austin has already racked up the accolades this season, having recently claimed the bronze medal at the 2008 World Indoor Rowing Championships in Boston. In November, she won her third consecutive Long Beach Sprints title, which qualified her for the world event in Boston. This past summer, she became the first female LMU rower to appear on the United States National Team, competing for the under-20 squad at the World Championships in Scotland in July. In 2006, she was named All-West Coast Conference and All-Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association as a member of the varsity 8 boat that won LMU's first West Coast Conference Championship. She was also named to the WCC All-Academic team and was a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar Athlete in 2006. "I am honored to receive this scholarship and very thankful for the teachers, coaches, and athletic staff who have provided me with so much support and guidance in my pursuits," Austin said. "I am excited for the possibilities this scholarship affords as I pursue a career in sports management. I would like to thank the NCAA for recognizing the achievements and potential that this group of women can have in the future of the sports industry." Austin will graduate from LMU this May. She plans to defer her enrollment in graduate school for a year, while she pursues a spot on the USRowing National Team. She is the third LMU female in the last six years to be awarded the Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship. Laura Gustorf (2002-03) and Kealani Kimball (2003-04), both of women's volleyball, were previously honored.
The Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics programs was developed by the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics and the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee. The NCAA awards 13 scholarships worth $6,000 apiece to female college graduates who will be entering their initial year of postgraduate studies. Applicants for the award must be seeking admission or have been accepted into a sports administration or sports-related program that will assist the applicant obtain a career in intercollegiate athletics (athletics administrator, coach, athletic trainer or other career that provides a direct service to intercollegiate athletics). |
