Release Courtesy of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

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BAY CITY, Mich. — Amy Howard (Cass City, Mich.), former volleyball player and graduate of Saginaw Valley State University, has been named one of 26 recipients of the 2010-11 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarships for Careers in Athletics.

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A total of 13 ethnic minorities and 13 females, who will be starting their first year of postgraduate studies, are awarded the scholarships on an annual basis. Recipients must be seeking admission or have been accepted into a sports administration or related program that will help them obtain a career in intercollegiate athletics. Scholarship winners have one year to use the one-time award of $6,000.

The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics and the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee created the scholarships with the intent to increase the opportunities for qualified minority and female candidates in intercollegiate athletics.

Howard, who is currently completing an internship with the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) office, was just one of two NCAA Division II student-athletes honored with the scholarship. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Saginaw Valley State in December of 2008, recording a 3.97 grade point average (4.0 scale).

“Amy Howard exemplifies the class of student-athlete we have here in the GLIAC,” stated GLIAC Commissioner, Dell Robinson. “We are proud of her accomplishments and her selection for this scholarship among some the best in the nation.”

On the court, Howard served as captain of the Cardinals’ volleyball squad during her senior season, earning All-GLIAC second-team honors. She was a four-year member of SVSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.), holding the title of vice president for one year.

Howard collected a host of academic honors during her collegiate playing career, including: membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars; National Dean’s List; three-time member of the GLIAC All-Academic team; recipient of the SVSU Presidential Scholarship; and earning ESPN the Magazine Academic All-Region honors in 2006.

“Amy Howard’s discipline and determination make her a perfect fit for this award,” stated SVSU head volleyball coach Will Stanton. “She has proven to be a student-athlete that makes the most of her opportunities, and I am sure Amy will endeavor to use this opportunity to its fullest potential. We are proud, but not surprised, that she was given this award to further her education and carry the Cardinal Volleyball name to new arenas.”

For more information about the Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarships for Careers in Athletics, click on the Diversity and Inclusion link under the About the NCAA tab at www.ncaa.org.