April 17, 2003
Samantha Bell, a student equipment manager for the University of Kentucky football team, has been chosen as the winner of the ninth-annual Trent DiGiuro Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship fund was established by 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 team manager or athletic
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.
Bell has been a student equipment manager for three years. She is in a dual-degree program in which she will earn her bachelor’s degree in health science and her master’s in physical therapy. In addition to her work as a football manager, Bell served one year as a resident adviser in the student housing office and has been promoted to her current role as assistant manager of a residence hall.
Bell came to UK from Upton, Ky., and was a cum laude graduate of Central Hardin High School. She is the daughter of Judy Carroll.
“This has been such a pleasant surprise (to win the scholarship) because I didn’t know I’d been nominated,” Bell said. “I just try to do my job as best I can and it’s an honor to be considered to have the same qualities that Trent showed.
“It’s very nice for Trent’s family and friends to honor him this way. It’s an inspiration for me.”
Trent DiGiuro was from Goshen, Ky., and earned all-district honors at South Oldham High School. He 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 Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
The first DiGiuro Scholarship was given in 1995 to placekicker Brent Claiborne. Subsequent scholarships have been awarded to manager Andrew Cline (1996), athletic trainer Patrick Sininger (1997), linebacker Stephan Walters (1998), tight end Cheddi Acham (1999), wide receiver Alex Herman (2000), wide receiver Corry Doyle (2001), and athletic trainer Matthew Summers (2002).
