Posted: March 18, 2005

Athletics: Sandfort Named as Finalist for McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Senior distance runner Jason Sandfort has been named by the Southeastern Conference as a finalist for the McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship, as announced by the league office on Friday. The scholarship has been presented by the SEC since 1986 to the league's top male and female scholar-athletes. The recipient will be announced on April 6 in conjunction with National Student-Athlete Day.

"The McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Award is the highest honor an SEC student-athlete can receive," said Mike Slive, SEC Commissioner. "To be a recipient of this award means that a student-athlete has to excel on the athletic fields, the classroom and in the community. For the 20th year, the McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Award has served as outstanding recognition for our exceptional student-athletes."

Sandfort, a senior from West Plains, Mo., has earned a 3.49 grade point average, while majoring in Financial Management. He is a six-time member of the Lon Farrell Honor Roll at Arkansas, a two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and a two-time Academic All-American. He is also a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Sandfort is a seven-time All-American and a 16-time All-SEC track performer. In 2004, he became the first Razorback since Joe Falcon to earn four cross country All-America accolades in a career. Last season, Sandfort shared the honor of SEC Track Scholar-Athlete of the Year with Auburn’s Levan Sands.

“It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy,” Arkansas head coach John McDonnell said. “He’s a great example of what a student-athlete is. During his career he was completely focused on school first and track second. He has carried out everything perfectly.”

In the community, Sandfort has volunteered his time visiting local elementary schools as part of the Southwestern Bell Book Hog Program.

Each year, the SEC, in conjunction with ALLTEL, an SEC Corporate Partner, provides the league's male and female recipients with a $10,000 post-graduate scholarship. The 22 remaining male and female finalists for the award will also receive a $5,000 post-graduate scholarship. The award recipients are chosen by a committee of Faculty Athletics Representatives from the 12 SEC institutions and are honored at the SEC Spring Meetings in Sandestin, Fla. on June 3.

National Student-Athlete Day is held each April 6 to celebrate outstanding student-athletes who have achieved excellence in academics and athletics while having made significant contributions to the community. It is also a time to recognize those parents, teachers, coaches and school systems which make it possible for young people to find the balance between academics and athletics.

Last year's recipients were Auburn diver Caesar Garcia and Alabama soccer player Lauren Imwalle.