Academic Development

Supporting the academic progress of the student-athlete toward intellectual development and graduation.

Honors/Awards and Scholarships

I. Graduate Student-Athletes
Despite the rigors and battles to maintain high GPA's, make solid progress towards one's degree, and balance a demanding practice schedule each semester, there are a few student-athletes who push themselves even more. In this section you will find a list of student-athletes who are pursuing double majors, dual degrees, dual Master's and Bachelor's degrees, and in some cases, Master's degrees alone - all while some are still eligible for competition as USC student-athletes. The NCAA requires that all participants in NCAA competitions be registered as full-time students at their host institution. For some, they finish their undergraduate degrees in 3 years and compete in their final year(s) of competition as full-time graduate students. We would like to congratulate all those who take advantage of their educational opportunities as Trojan student-athletes.

II. Student-Athlete of the Month
Each month during the regular academic year, the SAAS staff is responsible for selecting six student-athletes (typically 3 male and 3 female) who are believed to exemplify high academic standards. This can be either through outstanding performance in the classroom or dedication to study hall or tutorial sessions.

III. USC Senior Recognition
Each spring, the USC Student Recognition Award Committee organizes the Senior and Graduate Award Recognition Ceremony to honor student leaders who have demonstrated a noteworthy level of commitment to leadership, involvement, service, and scholarship at USC. Here are last year's senior student-athlete recognition winners.

IV. Marks Luncheon
Each May, the Daniel X. Marks Foundation, in conjunction with the USC Athletics Department, hosts the Marx Luncheon. The purpose of this luncheon is to honor those student-athletes who have excelled in the classroom.

Scholarship student-athletes* are invited to the luncheon if:

• They have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, or
• Are in the top 10% of their team, and
• Have a 2.75 cumulative GPA or better

• Trojaneer Diamond Award
  Recognizes the student-athlete who brought the most fame and distinction to the university.
• Gimble Award
  Recognizes the student-athlete who was deemed 'most cooperative'.
• Willis O'Hunter Award
  Given to the senior who has the highest cumulative grade point average.

VI. N4A Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award
Sponsored by the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics, this award is intended to honor student-athletes who have overcome great personal, academic, and/or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate athletics.

To qualify:

• Completed three semesters at their institution
• Passed 36 semester units
• Must be athletically eligible for the current academic year
• Be in good academic standing
• A letterwinner.

VII. Pac-10 Medals
Awarded by the PAC-10 annually to the outstanding senior male and female student-athlete.

Awards are based on the exhibition of the greatest combination of performance and achievement in:

• Scholarship
• Athletics
• Leadership

Scholarships

I. Pac-10 Postgraduate Scholarships
Each spring, the Pac-10 awards four $3,000 scholarships per institution (two men and two women) to be used for graduate study. Academic and athletic achievements are weighed equally.

To qualify:

• Must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Competed in their final year of athletics eligibility
• Must begin their graduate work within 3 years of receiving the scholarship

II. NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships
The NCAA awards 58 scholarships to student-athletes who have excelled both academically and athletically (29 Men and 29 Women). The award is a one-time grant of $7,500 for students who are seriously considering graduate study or who have already been accepted into graduate programs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of a 3.2000.
• Applicant must be nominated in his or her final season of intercollegiate athletics and competition, regardless of the student's graduation date.
• Applicant must have performed with distinction as a member of the varsity team in the sport for which the student-athlete is being nominated. The degree of the student-athlete's athletics achievement will be weighed in conjunction with academic performance, university involvement and volunteer community service.
• Applicant must intent to continue academic work beyond the B.A. degree and enroll in a graduate degree program on a part-time or full-time basis.
• Applicant must be an outstanding citizen and an excellent role model for the institution and intercollegiate athletics as a whole.

DEADLINE:

For Fall Sports (Football, Men's Water Polo, Women's Cross Country, Women's Soccer & Women's volleyball) - THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010

For Winter Sports (Men's & Women's Basketball, Men's & women's Swimming & Diving, Men's & Women's indoor Track & Field) - THURSDAY, MARCH 18,2010

For Spring Sports (Baseball, Men's & Women's Golf, Men's & Women's Tennis, Men's & Women's Outdoor Track & Field, Men's Volleyball, Women's rowing, Women's Water Polo) - THURSDAY,MAY 13, 2010

• Have an overall undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.5
• Have completed in intercollegiate athletics as a member of varsity team at an NCAA member institution
• Be a graduating senior or enrolled in graduate study at an NCAA member institution
• Have intentions of applying for admission to a graduate degree program at an accredited nonprofit educational institution or post baccalaureate professional degree program at a professionally accredited law school, medical school, or the equivalent
• Have evidenced superior character and leadership
• Have demonstrated that participation in athletics has been a positive influence on the nominee's personal and intellectual development. Relative success in athletics is important but not of overriding significance
• Be committed to work on a full-time basis toward a graduate degree
• Enroll into a graduate program within five years of being named a Byers Scholar

• Applicant must be seeking admission or have been accepted into aa sports administration or sports-related program that will assist the applican obtain a career in intercollegiate athletics (athletics administrator, coach, athletics trainer, or other career that provides a direct service to intercollegiate athletics


• Applicant may not have begun any initial postgraduate studies
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen
• Applicant must have performed with distinction as a student body member at his or her institution. The applicant's involvement in extracurricular activities, coursework, commitment to pursuing a career in intercollegiate athletics and promise for success in such a career will be considered

• Students must be a junior at the time of applying
• Must be a student at an NCAA member school (USC is One)

• applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5
• Applicant must have completed in intercollegiate athletics as a member of varsity team at an NCAA member institution
• Be enrolled to attending a graduate program withing 5 years of being named the Jim McCay Scholar
• Have demonstrated potential to make an impact on the sports journalism industry
• Ascribe to the highest levels of integrity, including truthfulness, objectivity, impartiality, fairness, and public accountability
• Have evidenced superior character and leadership
• have an understanding and appreciation for legacy of Jim MaCay