ARTHUR ASHE JR. SPORTS SCHOLARS

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois football player Alain Marcelin was one of six student-athletes from the Ohio Valley Conference who were selected Arthur Ashe Jr., Sports Scholars for the 2010-11 season. Marcelin graduated from EIU in May with a 3.96 GPA in biology and has been accepted into medical school at the University of Miami. He was named the EIU Senior Student-Athlete Scholar of the Year in 2011. A four-year member of the Panthers football team, Marcelin played defense for three seasons switching to full back as a senior to help fill a need in the EIU roster. He appeared in 38 games during his career making nine starts as a member of the 2007 and 2009 NCAA FCS playoff teams. Off the field Marcelin was active as a member of the EIU SAAC and completed several internships with local medical personal.

The 2010-11 winners of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Male and Female Athlete of the Year were Russell Wilson from North Carolina State and Shanice Howard from San Jose State.

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education established the Sports Scholars Awards to honor undergraduate students of color who have achieved academic and athletic success. To be included, students have to compete in an intercollegiate sport; maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2; and be active on their campuses or in their communities.