Going Pro in Something Else, With NCAA Money

Here at STF, we are plugged in to college basketball year round. The various conferences send news updates into our email box whenever there's something to report. Last night, we got one that actually gave us new information on an aspect of the NCAA that we were previously unaware of. Apparently the NCAA really does help student-athletes go pro in something else, as their public service announcements proclaim.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship is awarded to 87 men and 87 women who have completed their collegiate eligibility while demonstrating academic excellence. The awards are given to athletes in any NCAA sport, and are spread from Division III up to Division I based on merit. The $7500 scholarships can be used at any accredited graduate school, domestic or foreign.

This year's sole DI men's basketball winner is Jack Leasure of Coastal Carolina, who made several academic all-america teams while averaging 16.8 ppg. Last year, two-time NCAA champion Florida Gator Lee Humphrey took home the cash. Some guys have all the luck, talent, brains, and hard work, eh?

In this case, I'm inclined to give the NCAA some credit for putting money where their mouths are. Yes, most of the time they muddy the student-athlete waters more than they clarify them, but this is a good thing. I'll be looking into this story further - I'd love to find out what some of these athletes have done with the money. Who knows? Your doctor could be a former NCAA hoops star.

[NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Program]