Feb. 13, 2003

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky inducted 29 student-athletes into the Frank G. Ham Society of Character during halftime of the UK-Georgia men’s basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 11. The football team leads the list with eight members, while 18 of UK’s 22 sports had at least one student-athlete inducted.

The Society of Character is part of the University of Kentucky’s CHAMPS/Life Skills Program. It is designed to help student-athletes realize the value of higher academic achievement, a higher level of maturity, self-responsibility and greater overall success. The Society was founded in 1998 to recognize those individuals who epitomize the term “student-athlete.” Each candidate is nominated by a counselor, coach, trainer or manager and then evaluated on five criteria:

commitment to academic excellence,

commitment to athletic participation,

commitment to personal development,

commitment to being a role-model, and

commitment to preparing for the world of work.

The mission of the Society of Character is:

to recognize student-athletes who have achieved and continue to achieve a high level in all areas of their life,

to bring together these high achieving student-athletes for interactive programs:

to further enhance the high achieving student-athletes’ best interests and well being,

to promote continued interaction with other organizations.

Each candidate nominated for election into the Society of Character must meet the following requirements:

must have completed a minimum of 30 hours prior to nomination,

must have a competitive grade-point average,

must demonstrate a commitment to their academic success as well as to personal development, career development and service activities.

This year’s class includes:

Student-Athlete            SportTayo Agboke                FootballLyndsey Angus              SoftballJed Bassett                FootballAaron Boone                FootballLeigh Bradwell             Women's TennisDaniel Burnett             FootballMelody Cook                RifleDavid Freeman              Track & FieldKelli Frost                Swimming & DivingEva Gessner                Women's GolfJulia Gore                 GymnasticsOtis Grigsby               FootballAntonio Hall               FootballNikki Jones                SoftballAnne Koester               VolleyballRobert Krukoski            RifleKara McCue                 Women's SoccerLindsey Meagher            RifleThomas Morgan              Track & FieldRonnie Riley               FootballJohn Robinson              FootballHunter Spencer             Track & FieldJ.D. Stephenson            Men's SoccerGordon Tyler               BaseballDavid Waespe               BaseballBrooke Walters             Women's SoccerRoger Watkins              Swimming & DivingMatt Wells                 Men's GolfBradley Wheeldon           Rifle

-UK-