Obata Named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Winner

2017 Mar 29

Scott Kim of men's golf, Ryan Ghaderi of men's lacrosse, Madison Obata of water polo have been named three of the 37 team winners for the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award as announced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine. Kim was also announced as a Top-20 semifinalist for the 2017 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award.

In order to be considered for this prestigious award, the nominee must compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.2 and be active in their campuses and communities.

The sport winners were chosen from over 1,200 student-athletes, while the semi-finalists were picked from over 1,000 nominated student-athletes. The Saints three honorees are tied for the most with the University of Memphis. Five other schools had two student-athletes named as Sport Winners. The sport winners will be published Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine April 6, 2017 edition in a special report, while the semifinalist will be profiled for the issue.

Obata, a senior utility player on the water polo who has played in 86 games for the Saints in her four year career. She has seven goals and 13 assists for Siena. Last season, the Honolulu, Hawaii native recorded four goals and five assists for a .364 shooting percentage.

She has a 3.42 cumulative grade point average in English. Obata has been named to the MAAC All Academic Team once. She is the SAAC President for the 2016-17 school year. She has participated in multiple community service events this year. The Water Polo team went to Camp Challenge Ride and Run to help volunteer at the event by handing out water and cheering on the participants. She then participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Obata has been to the Ronald McDonald House twice this year.

A scholar and athlete, Ashe sought to expand opportunities for young people. Each year Diverse: Issues in Higher Education invites every postsecondary institution in the country to participate in this awards program by nominating their outstanding sports scholars. In addition to their athletic ability, students named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2; and be active on their campuses or in the community.