Byars Awarded NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
April 30, 2008
ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis senior swimmer Brad Byars (Marion, Ill. / Marion) was one of 58 NCAA winter-sport student-athletes to earn an educational grant for the upcoming academic year through the NCAA postgraduate scholarship program. Byars, who will be attending SLU's School of Law to pursue a career in health-care law, was the only Atlantic 10 Conference winter-sport participant to receive the one-time, non-renewable grant of $7,500. "This is probably one of the biggest honors I've ever received," Byars said. "Being named A-10 Student-Athlete of the Year was great, but this is even better because it will help take some of the financial burden off my family. I am so thankful and grateful to the athletic department, coach Halliburton and especially Janet Oberle (SLU's assistant athletics director of compliance and student services) for nominating me for this award." Byars, a three-time team MVP, wrapped up his collegiate career by winning the 100-free title at the Atlantic 10 Conference Championships and was selected as the league's men's swimming and diving Student-Athlete of the Year. At the 2008 A-10 Championships, the senior sprinter also finished second in the 50 free and eighth in the 100 fly. This season, Byars eclipsed the school standards in the 100 and 200 free and helped the 800-free relay and the 400-medley relay break the SLU records at the conference championship. The 2007-08 SLU Male Student-Athlete of the Year swam on four of SLU's five relays that hold the current Billiken standards. "Brad has enjoyed a great career here at SLU," Billiken head swimming and diving coach Jim Halliburton said. "His impressive credentials academically and athletically definitely make him deserving of this honor. Brad is a pre-law student, and he's been involved in a lot of things on campus, all the while maintaining a high GPA. He is one of the best, if not the best, swimmer this program has ever had."
Scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are participating in their final year of competition. The accolade was created in 1964 to promote and encourage postgraduate education by rewarding the NCAA's most accomplished student-athletes. The NCAA presents up to 174 postgraduate scholarships each year. |
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