Fresno State Athletics
Haile Watson earns NCAA Graduate Scholarship
5/10/2019 2:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Fresno State senior middle blocker Haile Watson has received an NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Graduate Scholarship from the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee.
As a recipient of the scholarship, Watson will receive a $10,000 reward to be used towards a postgraduate degree in a sports-related program during the 2019-20 academic year. A three-time Academic All-MW selection, Watson completed her undergraduate work at Fresno State with a degree in kinesiology-physical education.
"I feel incredibly grateful to have received the Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Graduate Scholarship," Watson said. "This scholarship will help me pay for my MBA and help me further my career in athletics. I'm currently applying for graduate programs so I'm unsure of where I will end up at the moment but I'm excited to start my career in athletics."
Each year the NCAA awards $10,000 to 13 ethnic minorities and 13 female college graduates who will be entering their initial year of graduate studies. The goal of the enhancement programs is to increase the pool of and opportunities for qualified minority and female candidates in intercollegiate athletics through graduate scholarships, according to the NCAA.
In addition to meeting several academic requirements to be eligible for the award, applicants must have performed with distinction as a student body member at their respective undergraduate institution. The applicant's involvement in extracurricular activities, course work, commitment to pursuing a career in intercollegiate athletics and promise for success in such a career will be considered. They also must be outstanding citizens and excellent role models for the institution and intercollegiate athletics.
Watson demonstrated her commitment to her teammates and the university throughout her time at Fresno State and was an outstanding student-athlete both on and off the court. Despite playing just three seasons with the Bulldogs after transferring from Eastern Washington, Watson recorded the third most career block assists in program history and ranks fifth in program history in both total blocks and blocks per set.
Watson was an All-Mountain West selection as a senior as she led the Bulldogs to their most wins in 16 years and a second place finish in the MW. She ranked third in the MW and 19th in NCAA Div. I with 156.0 total blocks last year, tied for the fourth most blocks in a season in program history, and she also led the team hitting .315 while averaging 2.08 kills per set.
In addition to receiving the scholarship Watson will also be invited to the 2019 NCAA Career in Sports Forum (CSF) taking place at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis in June. The CSF brings together 200 selected student-athletes and scholarship recipients for four days to learn and explore potential careers in sports, with the primary focus on intercollegiate athletics. The CSF is designed to assist attendees in charting their career paths, to give them the opportunity to network and to learn from current athletics professionals. The cost of airfare, lodging, meals and program materials will be covered by the NCAA.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
Instagram: FresnoStatevball
Facebook: FresnoStateVB
As a recipient of the scholarship, Watson will receive a $10,000 reward to be used towards a postgraduate degree in a sports-related program during the 2019-20 academic year. A three-time Academic All-MW selection, Watson completed her undergraduate work at Fresno State with a degree in kinesiology-physical education.
"I feel incredibly grateful to have received the Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Graduate Scholarship," Watson said. "This scholarship will help me pay for my MBA and help me further my career in athletics. I'm currently applying for graduate programs so I'm unsure of where I will end up at the moment but I'm excited to start my career in athletics."
Each year the NCAA awards $10,000 to 13 ethnic minorities and 13 female college graduates who will be entering their initial year of graduate studies. The goal of the enhancement programs is to increase the pool of and opportunities for qualified minority and female candidates in intercollegiate athletics through graduate scholarships, according to the NCAA.
In addition to meeting several academic requirements to be eligible for the award, applicants must have performed with distinction as a student body member at their respective undergraduate institution. The applicant's involvement in extracurricular activities, course work, commitment to pursuing a career in intercollegiate athletics and promise for success in such a career will be considered. They also must be outstanding citizens and excellent role models for the institution and intercollegiate athletics.
Watson demonstrated her commitment to her teammates and the university throughout her time at Fresno State and was an outstanding student-athlete both on and off the court. Despite playing just three seasons with the Bulldogs after transferring from Eastern Washington, Watson recorded the third most career block assists in program history and ranks fifth in program history in both total blocks and blocks per set.
Watson was an All-Mountain West selection as a senior as she led the Bulldogs to their most wins in 16 years and a second place finish in the MW. She ranked third in the MW and 19th in NCAA Div. I with 156.0 total blocks last year, tied for the fourth most blocks in a season in program history, and she also led the team hitting .315 while averaging 2.08 kills per set.
In addition to receiving the scholarship Watson will also be invited to the 2019 NCAA Career in Sports Forum (CSF) taking place at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis in June. The CSF brings together 200 selected student-athletes and scholarship recipients for four days to learn and explore potential careers in sports, with the primary focus on intercollegiate athletics. The CSF is designed to assist attendees in charting their career paths, to give them the opportunity to network and to learn from current athletics professionals. The cost of airfare, lodging, meals and program materials will be covered by the NCAA.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
Instagram: FresnoStatevball
Facebook: FresnoStateVB
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