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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --October 14, 1999
Contact: John Johnson or Andy Frushour-- 517.332.5046
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Oct. 6 - Thousands of
students voluntarily extend their classroom day by taking part
in extra-curricular activities, often improving their academic
achievements in the process.
The value that such programs play in the total education of a
high school student is highlighted through the Michigan High
School Athletic Association's Scholar-Athlete Award, which is
in its second decade of awarding $1,000 scholarships to 24 top
student-athletes from member schools, and which will recognize
over 3,000 other outstanding individuals in 1999-00.
The Scholar-Athlete Award, underwritten by Farm Bureau Insurance,
presents a scholarship in every activity in which the Association
sponsors a post-season tournament. The scholarships may be used
at the institution of higher learning the recipients attend during
the first year at those colleges.
"It is amazing to see the number of young people who are
proven achievers in academics and activities," said John
E. "Jack" Roberts, executive director of the MHSAA.
"At a time when our educational system is coming under fire,
the Scholar-Athlete Award is something that proves how important
a controlled and regulated athletics program is to the development
of a well-rounded person's development."
Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be graduating
during the 1999-00 school year, be carrying an unrounded 3.50
(on a 4.0) grade point average, and have previously won a letter
in a varsity sport in which the MHSAA sponsors post-season competition.
Applicants will also be required to show involvement in other
school-community activities and submit an essay on the importance
of sportsmanship in educational athletics.
Each MHSAA member school will be allowed to nominate one student-athlete
in each championship activity, and an individual may be nominated
in more than one sport. Applications are available through all
MHSAA member schools or the Association's Web Site - www.mhsaa.com.
Students must submit their applications to their school principals
by November 22, 1999. Schools have additional materials to submit
with student applications, and each school must submit all of
its applications at one time.
Individually-mailed applications to the MHSAA office will not
be accepted.
A committee composed of school administrators from across the
state will select regional and statewide winners.
Farm Bureau, a long-time supporter of MHSAA
activities, also sponsors other educationally-oriented programs.
Executive Vice-President Larry W. Thomas notes the company's
pleasure with the awards program.
"All of us at Farm Bureau Insurance are proud to reward
special, well-rounded young people who have developed both physical
and academic skills," Thomas said. "To accomplish both
while giving of themselves to their schools and their communities
are outstanding traits that must be recognized and rewarded."
The 24 scholarship recipients will be recognized at the MHSAA
Boys Basketball Finals at the Breslin Student Events Center in
East Lansing on March 25, 2000.
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary
membership by over 1,300 public and private senior high schools
and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common
rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government
funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such
association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament
entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules
are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments conducted in
12 sports for girls and 12 sports for boys which attract approximately
1.3 million spectators each year.
MEDIA ADVISORY - A Scholar-Athlete Award brochure is enclosed for your information. For additional information about Farm Bureau's involvement in this program, contact Luke Schafer at 517/323-7000.