CSUSB student-athletes Jessica Brown and Tony Lo are among 26 individuals who have been awarded the prestigious NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Graduate Scholarship, the organization announced on April 18.

Brown, a senior from Rancho Cucamonga, and Lo, a Sydney, Australia, native, are acclaimed Coyotes who have been honored for their ability both on the field and in their academic studies.

Last season, Brown was the consensus All-West Region catcher for the Coyotes' softball team. She has been the go-to player this spring for coach Jim Maier and the Coyotes, who are ranked sixth in the NCAA West Region poll.

The kinesiology (pedagogy) major leads the CCAA in five categories (home runs 13, home runs/game .35, on-base percentage .529, slugging percentage .833, and total bases 90) and is among the top three in 10 categories.

Brown said the scholarship will be of immense help to her. “Being a working student athlete is challenging and this scholarship will allow me to focus on my  master's degree and my future career in athletics,' she said. 'Coaching and mentoring young athletes who will become our future is only a step away, I can remember when this was only a dream. I am so grateful to those who supported, coached and mentored me through this journey and to the Ethnic Minority Graduate Scholarship Committee for recognizing with the prestigious award.'

Lo finished his soccer career as a two-time All-CCAA midfielder and a multiple academic honoree for coach Darren Leslie's program. He finished second on the team in goals (five) in 2017 and completed his four-year career with 14 goals. He is a biology major with a college administration aspiration.

“This scholarship gave me an opportunity to continue to my educational endeavors in the States as well as given me a chance to continue my growth as an individual,' Lo said. 'Trying to pursue a career in athletics, that's something that I didn’t think of ever doing coming in as a freshman.”

The NCAA annually awards $7,500 to 13 ethnic minorities and 13 female college graduates who will be entering their initial year of graduate studies. The applicant must be seeking admission or have been accepted into a sports administration or program that will help the applicant obtain a career in intercollegiate athletics, or a career that provides a direct service to intercollegiate athletics. 

“The NCAA reviews candidates over all three divisions for this scholarship,” said Meghan McGarry, CSUSB athletics academic adviser. “To stand out, student athletes must excel in the classroom, the field, and be a role model for the department. Both Jessica and Tony were the top choices for our Coyote Student Athlete nominations. Receiving this financial assistance allows both Jessica and Tony to focus on their new goals of graduate school and a continued commitment to athletics. I look forward to seeing both of them in their new programs next year.”

All former student-athletes who earned an undergraduate degree from an NCAA member school are eligible to be nominated by that school for an NCAA graduate degree scholarship, regardless of when they received their undergraduate degree. 

The criteria include:

  • At least in their final season of NCAA athletics eligibility or will not be using any remaining athletics eligibility.
  • An overall undergraduate minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.200 (based on a 4.000 scale) or its equivalent, including all undergraduate hours earned at all undergraduate institutions attended. The grade-point average may not include any graduate-level hours.
  • Seeking admission or have been accepted into a sports administration or other graduate program that will assist the applicant in obtaining a career in intercollegiate athletics (athletics administrator, coach, athletic trainer or other career that provides a direct service to intercollegiate athletics).
  • Have not begun any initial postgraduate studies or graduate level hours.
  • Enroll in an NCAA member institution on a full-time basis.
  • An outstanding citizen and excellent role model for the institution and intercollegiate athletics.
  • 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.

Keep up with the latest in Coyote sports at the CSUSB Athletics website.