Aug. 3, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior Hillary Ferguson was named a first-team 2009 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar by Diverse Magazine for the second year in a row. She joined eight other student-athletes from the University of Kentucky representing a total of six sports.

The Sports Scholars Awards honor undergraduate students of color who best exemplify the highest standards of scholarship, athleticism and humanitarianism. Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.’s commitment to education and sport, the magazine invites every college and university in the country to nominate outstanding sports scholars. Student-athletes must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.2 and be active in their campus communities.

Ferguson was UK’s most consistent all-around performer, competing in all four events in every meet during 2009. This season she added five event titles to her previous 12, one on vault, beam and all-around as well as two on the floor exercise. Ferguson nabbed season-best marks of 9.875 on vault, 9.850 on bars, 9.900 on floor and 39.275 all-around. She led the Wildcats on individual events eight times.

Ferguson has been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times and has a cumulative 3.25 GPA while studying kinesiology and exercise science.

2009 Diverse Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars from the University of Kentucky

Samantha Au – Women’s Soccer (2nd team)
George Davis IV – Men’s Soccer (2nd team)
Daryl Faulkner – Football (3rd team)

Hillary Ferguson – Gymnastics (1st team)
Antwane Glenn – Football (3rd team)
Robbie McAtee – Football (1st team)
Eleia Roddy – Women’s Basketball (1st team)
Andrew Roland – Rifle (1st team)
Masumi Turnbull – Men’s Soccer (1st team and male finalist)