COLLEGE STATION, Texas- Texas A&M senior offensive lineman Taylor Whitley and junior equestrian team member Jamie Mishler were named the Bill Erwin Scholar-Athletes of the Year at the 14th annual CHAMPS Awards Banquet presented by Texas A&M University and Verizon at the Kyle Field Zone Club on Wednesday afternoon.
Whitley, a senior from Sudan, Texas, has had a whirlwind week, having just been chosen as the 87th selection in this past weekend's NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. He was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team this season and was voted Most Valuable Offensive Lineman by his teammates. Whitley graduated with a management degree in August of 2002 prior to his senior season of football eligibility. Whitley began graduate work in the fall and quickly posted a 4.0 grade-point average in that first semester. Taylor's cumulative GPA earned him All-District VI second-team honors by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Mishler, a junior from Plano, Texas, is the first member of the equestrian team ever to be awarded the distinguished Bill Erwin Scholar-Athlete Award. Mishler will be heading to Middle Tennessee State University on Thursday to compete in her first-ever Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championships in her last hurrah as a member of the equestrian team. The two-time western co-captain will take her 4.0 cumulative GPA to veterinary school at Michigan State University in the fall. Mishler is a National Merit Scholar and was the valedictorian at Plano East High School.
A total of 282 athletes, 25 managers and 15 trainers were honored for posting a 3.0 grae-point average or better in a semester for the 2002 calendar year. Of those, 41 posted a perfect 4.0 GPA in at least one semester.
The men's and women's cross country teams earned the award for highest team GPA for the second straight season.
Ryan Newport, a senior tennis player from Houston, was presented the male Distinguished Letterman Award. Newport, who serves as A&M's No. 1 individual player, is the Big 12 Conference No. 1 Singles Champion this season. He ranks No. 13 in the nation in singles and No. 26 in doubles with partner Lester Cook. His winning percentage at No. 1 singles is the highest in school history.
The female Distinguished Letterman Award went to senior Selena Collins of the softball team. Collins was named an All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year in 2002. She is the all-time A&M leader in career RBI's, home runs and walks and currently leads the Big 12 Conference in both home runs and walks.
These two student-athletes were honored for their team contributions, leadership and academic efforts.
Associate Athletic Director for Olympic Sports Dr. John Thornton was presented with the Award of Excellence by outgoing Student Athlete Advisory Committee President Kristin Milchanowski. The Award of Excellence is presented to a staff member of the Texas A&M Athletic Department for their dedication and support of student-athletes. The award is voted on by the athletes that make up the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
Other honorees included Stacy Jones, senior football player, Community Service Most Valuable Person; and Jamie Riojas, sophomore track and field athlete, Outstanding Committee Chair.
The captains of Texas A&M's athletic teams were honored in addition to those student-athletes who volunteered their time as CHAMPS 101 Teaching Assistants during the school year.
Two members of the Texas A&M University faculty, Dr. David Busbee, a professor in Vet Anatomy and Public Health, and Dr. Ben Welch, a management professor and the Director for the Center for Executive Development, were cited for their efforts to inspire students to grow, learn and achieve new heights during thei academic careers.