Fresno State Athletics
Over 280 Bulldogs Honored at Seventh Annual Kiwanis Torch of Excellence Dinner
 |  Senior women's basketball player Omelogo Udeze was a featured speaker at Monday night's Kiwanis Torch of Excellence Dinner. |
April 28, 2003
FRESNO, Calif.-- - Nearly 300 Fresno State student-athletes were honored Monday night at the 7th Annual Kiwanis Torch of Excellence Dinner held of the Radisson Hotel Ballroom.
To receive recognition at the Kiwanis Torch of Excellence Dinner, student-athletes must have achieved a 3.0 grade point average for consecutive semesters of the Spring and Fall of 2002.
"To have 286 student-athletes achieve this recognition is simply outstanding," said Scott Johnson, Director of Athletics. Fresno State has 530 student-athletes. "This is a great night to recognize the student-athletes for what they've accomplished outside their sport. Unfortunately that doesn't get recognized enough, but we are thankful to the Kiwanis for honoring our outstanding young men and women."
Several outstanding student-athletes also received special awards, including six who were selected for the Kiwanis Torchlighter Award, presented by the Kiwanis the Dr. Pete Simis, Fresno State's Athletics Faculty Representative for maintaining a cumulative 3.5 GPA and earning a varsity letters twice. Those honored include Mike Azevedo, men's cross county/track & field; Alex Mason, men's cross county/track & field; Jennifer Smith, women's cross county/track & field; Virginia Jenkins, women's soccer; Jessica Klenner, women's swimming & diving; and Dana Van Der Giessen, equestrian.
Klenner and men's soccer player Jeremy Proud were selected as winners of the George Ilg Award, given annually to the graduating senior for academic achievement, athletic accomplishments and community service.
The two featured speakers were men's basketball player Travis DeManby and women's basketball player Omelogo Udeze, Fresno State's nominees for the WAC's Stan Bates Awards, presented annually to the top senior male and female student-athletes in the conference.
Women's pole vaulter Lexine Lesser and men's soccer player Jose Rivas won the Harold Haak Scholarship, given to the top underclass student-athletes who have had consecutive semesters of a 3.5 GPA and earned a varsity letter.
Undergraduate student trainer Shauna Horton won the Dr. Thomas Thaxter Memorial Award for distinguished service in sports medicine.
More than 70 Bulldogs were honored as Academic All-WAC winners and 149 were selected WAC Scholar-Athletes.
"This is a great night for the Fresno State community," said University President Dr. John D. Welty, who addressed banquet. "We have a lot to be proud of in these student-athletes. They represent our Valley community and university in a first-class manner."