University of Kentucky free safety Stephan Walters has been chosen as the fourth-annual winner of the 1998 Trent DiGiuro Memorial Scholarship.
Walters, a junior from Hodgenville, Ky., is a two-year letterman for the Wildcats and has seen most of his action on special teams. He accounted for six tackles, caused a fumble, and recovered a fumble during the 1997 season. He made three tackles in 1996. He is working on a degree in secondary education and is a two-year member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Before beginning his collegiate career, Walters served two years in the United States Army. As a member of the Presidential Honor Guard in Washington, D. C., he performed ceremonial missions at the White House, Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The scholarship fund was established by the family and friends of former UK offensive guard Trent DiGiuro, who died on July 17, 1994. Trent’s parents, Mike and Ann DiGiuro, officially established the fund on Oct. 24, 1994.
The fund provides one or more scholarships each year to students who: 1) are walk-on (non-scholarship) football players at UK; 2) have played on the football team at least two years; 3) have maintained a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.5; and 4) best exemplify the dedication, determination, hard work, and leadership typified by Trent DiGiuro.
If no walk-on player meets the above criteria, the scholarship is awarded to a manager or trainer who has completed two years of service, maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, and has exemplified the dedication, determination, hard work, and leadership typified by Trent DiGiuro.
“I want to thank the DiGiuro family for making this scholarship possible. I know this is something that comes from their hearts and I appreciate it very much,” Walters said. “I’m also honored to be selected because it recognizes walk-on players, who sometimes don’t get much attention.”
Trent DiGiuro came to UK as a walk-on offensive lineman in 1991. Through hard work and perseverance, he began earning playing time in 1993 as the Wildcats advanced to the Peach Bowl. In the off-season, he posted the best bench press on the team and he finished 1994 spring practice as the starting right guard. Trent also made steady progress in his academic work and earned a place on the 1993 SEC Academic Honor Roll.
The first DiGiuro scholarship was given in 1995 to former placekicker Brent Claiborne. Subsequent scholarships have been awarded to manager Andrew Cline (1996) and trainer Patrick Sininger (1997).
