May 29, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Senior Momei Qu was named the 2008 Arthur Ashe Jr. Top Female Scholar Athlete as announced by the award winning publication, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education on Thursday. The senior from Portland, Ore., was chosen out of a total of over 600 male and female nominees. Cliff Hammonds of Clemson took home the male honor.

"This award is a very special honor and it is the result of Momei's unwavering dedication to her scholastic endeavors over the course of her four years as a student-athlete at the University of Illinois.," head coach Michelle Dasso said.

Diverse magazine established the Sports Scholar Awards in 1992 to honor the legendary Arthur Ashe Jr. and his commitment to social justice, education and sports. Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars are outstanding undergraduate students of color who have achieved athletically and academically. The honorees embody the spirit, values and commitment that are Arthur Ashe's legacy.

To be nominated, students have to compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2 and be active on their campuses and/or in their communities.

Qu will also be featured in the Play Magazine section of the June 1st Sunday New York Times for her outstanding accomplishment.