Giovanni Fernandes, a men’s soccer player at the University of Kentucky, was named a finalist for the Southeastern Conference’s H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, the league office announced Tuesday, April 10.

A senior from Criciuma, Brazil, Fernandes is the second consecutive McWhorter honoree from the UK men’s soccer team. As a finalist, Fernandes will receive a $5,000 post-graduate scholarship and is eligible for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and a $10,000 post-graduate scholarship provided by the Alltel Corporation.

“This shows the outstanding dedication Giovanni has shown on and off the field,” Coach Ian Collins said. “We are very proud to have had the past two honorees for the University of Kentucky come from the men’s soccer team. Gio is representative of our commitment to be successful on the field and in the classroom.”

Fernandes has been a constant member of the Dean’s List throughout his academic career and has been an SEC Academic Honor Roll member from 1999-2001. In 1999, he was named a PNC Bank Student Athlete of the Week, while participating in numerous community activities, including “Breakfast with Santa,” “Schoolhouse Rock” and trips to local schools and the UK Children’s Hospital. He also was named a second-team Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar in 2000.

Each SEC school chooses one male and one female athlete for the awards, and the outstanding male and female student-athletes will be chosen by the SEC Faculty Athletics Representatives Selection Committee to be presented at the SEC Spring Meetings in June. UK’s female nominee is Megan Weiskircher, a member of the volleyball squad.

“These student-athletes have shown everyone what it takes to be a winner in every aspect of life,” SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer said. “We are proud to salute these fine student-athletes and hope that they can be an example for others to follow.”