Indiana University Athletics
Bashore Earns IU's Third Straight NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
12/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Student-Athlete Services
April 18, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana field hockey senior Kayla Bashore earned the NCAA's prestigious Postgraduate Scholarship as recently announced by the Association. Bashore is the sixth Hoosier and the third in as many years to garner the distinction. The Shoemakersville, Pa., product is one of 58 student-athletes (24 females) who participated in a fall sport to be awarded the $7,500 scholarship. Bashore plans to pursue a career in the medical profession.
Bashore joins former diver Cassandra Cardinell (2005), track/cross country star Audrey Giesler (2004), golfer Karen Dennison (2004), diver Kimiko Hirai Soldati (1997) and men's soccer standout Brian Maisonnueve (1995) as Hoosier recipients.
According to Indiana head field hockey coach Amy Robertson, Bashore is the consummate student-athlete.
"Kayla is the most complete athlete I have ever coached. We are honored and so proud of her. It is truly an honor to be a recipient of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship," Robertson said. "Kayla has done everything possible, from the field to the classroom, in her career. She is an amazing student and athlete and an even more extraordinary person."
Bashore, a fifth-year biology major, is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and a five-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic Squad member. The two-time captain led Indiana to its winningest season in program history (17-5) and an Elite Eight finish in the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance. The two-time All-American became the first Hoosier to garner Big Ten Player of the Year honors in addition to earning a first team All-Region nod. More impressively, the 5-2 midfielder is the first player from IU to earn a spot on the USA Field Hockey National team.
In 2005, Bashore tallied 29 points off 12 goals and five assists. The North/South Senior All-Star selection is the second student-athlete in program history to record a hat trick and the first IU player to notch two three-goal performances in a season against Pacific (Sept. 9) and Lindenwood (Sept. 25).
Bashore works hard to maintain a balance between academics and athletics, while excelling in both.
"This is such an honor for me and more so for the IU field hockey program," Bashore said. "This award says a lot about the program's success both on the field and in the classroom. Being successful in both areas is so important to me and to be recognized for doing so is a great feeling."
Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services Grace Calhoun believes that the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship is one of the most prestigious honors bestowed on a student-athlete and Bashore is a deserving recipient.
"We were thrilled to learn that Kayla is being honored with this elite group of student-athletes," Calhoun said. "Earning an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship is one of the most distinguished honors that can be bestowed on a student-athlete. The award is so competitive that only superior students who have also demonstrated leadership qualities and performed with distinction on their athletics teams receive consideration. This is not only a wonderful accomplishment for Kayla, but it is also an impressive accolade for the athletics department and university."
To qualify for an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, a student-athlete must have an overall grade-point average of 3.200 (on a 4.000 scale) or its equivalent, and must have performed with distinction as a member of the varsity team in the sport in which the student-athlete was nominated. The student-athlete must have behaved, both on and off the field, in a manner that has brought credit to the student-athlete, the institution and intercollegiate athletics. The student-athlete also must intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree as a full-time or part-time graduate student.
