June 20, 2005

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Megan Blackshire, a middle blocker on the UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball team, has been named an Arthur Ashe, Jr. 2005 Sports Scholar by Black Issues in Higher Education.

A rising senior from Capistrano Beach, Calif., Blackshire was one of 11 student-athletes to earn second team honors for women's volleyball. An 11-player first team and nine-player third team were also selected, while similar lists of varying size were named in 14 other women's sports and 12 on the men's side. Blackshire posted a 3.52 grade point average during the fall 2004 quarter - while her team was in-season - and boasts a 3.52 cumulative GPA while majoring in law and society.

Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Jr.'s commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis, Black Issues in Higher Education invited every college and university in the country to participate in this annual awards program by nominating their outstanding sports scholars of color. In addition to their athletic ability, Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars must exhibit academic excellence and community activism.

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. Two of these scholar-athletes -- track and field athlete Sharonda Latrice Johnson of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and basketball guard Chris Hill of Michigan State University -- were selected by the editors as Sports Scholars of the Year for best exemplifying the standards of scholarship, athleticism and humanitarianism.

On the court, Blackshire has earned First Team All-Big West Conference and honorable mention All-America honors from the American Volleyball Coaches' Association each of the past two seasons. In 2004 she registered a school-record .386 hitting percentage, while her .349 career mark currently ranks second in Gaucho history.

Academically, the former San Clemente High School standout is a two-time Big West All-Academic honoree, and also earned a Golden Eagle Award in 2004-05 for holding the team's highest grade point average. She currently serves as a representative on UCSB's Student-Athlete Advisory Board.

Blackshire and her Santa Barbara teammates will begin their 2005 campaign on Friday, Sept. 2 in Gainesville, Fla., against Missouri State. The Gauchos are the three-time defending Big West champions and have participated in all 24 NCAA Championships dating back to the tournament's inception in 1981.

For the complete list of Arthur Ashe, Jr. 2005 Sports Scholars, please visit www.blackissues.com