RICHARDSON, Texas –– The University of Texas at Dallas basketball players Scott Rodgers and Chelsea Edwards have earned the title of Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in their respective American Southwest Conference 2009-10 winter sport, the league office announced on Thursday (March 25).
Overall, 22 student-athletes from ASC men's and women's basketball were named to the Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Team.
Among the honoree were LC women's basketball senior Joanna Tate (a Health and PE major from Holden, La.) and men's basketball senior Troy Folse (an Economics and Finance major from Moss Bluff, La.).
The honor, in its third academic year, recognizes student-athletes that achieve a higher level of academic achievement (a 3.20 grade-point average or better) while competing as a starter or important reserve on their team. From that list – limited to one nominee per school in each ASC championship sport – the Sports Information Directors from the conference's 15 member institutions vote on a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete from each sport.
Rodgers (The Woodlands, TX / TWHS), who majored in finance with a 3.80 GPA and is now pursuing his masters degree, became UTD's first All-Conference selection in program history this season. He lead the team in scoring (15.5 ppg) after spending his first three seasons as a “6th Man” off the bench. Rodgers played in every UTD game during his four-year career and finished each season as one of the team's top 2-3 scorers. He ranks among the UTD career leaders in several statistical categories, including scoring and free throw shooting. Rodgers was also UTD's third-leading rebounder despite his 6-1 height. He was named a third-team selection on the 2010 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine national Academic All-America Team. Rodgers was also a three-time ASC Academic All-Conference honoree and two-time recipient of UTD Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Award. He graduated early and was selected as a speaker at the December 2009 UTD Commencement Ceremony.
Edwards (Friendswood, TX / FHS), who majored business administration with a 3.5 GPA and is now pursuing her masters degree in public affairs, finished her four-year career as UTD's all-time leader in scoring, assists, steals, free throws and games played after starting every game during her four-year career. Despite playing point guard, she is also third on the all-time rebounding list. Edwards swerved as the team captain and leader for a program that has posted a 56-22 record over the last three years, enjoying its first winning seasons in program history. She is a three-time All-ASC East Division selection and four-time member of the East Division All-Defense Team. Edwards is a three-time ASC Academic All-Conference and two-time recipient of the UTD Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Award. She earned her undergraduate degree in just three years.
Both Rodgers and Edwards were named to the 2009-10 ASC Academic All-Conference Team.
ASC FALL 2008 DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR-ATHLETE TEAM
(+Sport's Distinguished Scholar-Athlete)
MEN'S BASKETBALL
+ Scott Rodgers-Texas-Dallas
Reza Farahani-Concordia Texas
Jacob Turnipseed-East Texas Baptist
Brandon Irwin-Howard Payne
Troy Folse-Louisiana College
Zane Johnston-Mary Hardin-Baylor
Steven Luckey-McMurry
Colby Woolverton-Ozarks
Michael Flores-Texas Lutheran
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
+ Chelsea Edwards-Texas-Dallas
Kerrie Carter-Concordia Texas
Karlee Wilson-East Texas Baptist
Lindsey Newcombe-Hardin-Simmons
Katy Sarem-Howard Payne
Joanna Tate-Louisiana College
Kellie Thomas-Mary Hardin-Baylor
Amanda Peters-McMurry
Anna Patterson-Mississippi College
April Young-Ozarks
Ayesha Safo-Schreiner
Lindsey Hausmann-Texas-Tyler
Kimberly Hagan-Texas Lutheran
