NORFOLK, Va. — Hampton student-athlete Joshua Williams and Delaware State volleyball player Jasmine Jackson were chosen by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine as the 2016 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award Winners.

This year’s award winners were chosen from more than 1,000 minority student-athletes, representing 36 sports, and were nominated by their institutions. Williams and Jackson won sailing and volleyball respectively.  Jackson was also a semifinalist for the Arthur Ashe Jr. Athlete of the Year award.

Both were on the 2015 Commissioner’s All-Academic team, which recognizes student-athletes with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.

“We are always elated when our student-athletes are being considered for prestigious awards,” said MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis Thomas. “They are very talented student-athletes and we wish them well in their future endeavors, not only for this award, but for others as well.” 

Williams and Jackson were selected for the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award because they maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 and are active on their campuses or in their communities.

The award is inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.'s commitment to education.  In addition to their athletic ability, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must exhibit academic excellence and community activism.

The male and female athletes of the year will be announced on April 7, 2016. The entire class of Arthur Ashe Jr. scholars will be presented in the April 21, 2016 edition of Diverse.