The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Dizdar, Pritchett earn Big 12 Conference postgraduate scholarships
05.30.2007 | Women's Tennis
IRVING, Texas -- University of Texas student-athletes Petra Dizdar and Poston Pritchett were selected as recipients of the Big 12 Conference's Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships for the 2006-07 season, as announced Wednesday by the league office.
Dizdar and Pritchett completed their collegiate eligibility in their respective sports this spring. Dizdar (Split, Croatia), a three-time All-Big 12 singles selection, completed her collegiate tennis career with a 76-69 singles mark and a 72-45 doubles record.
A three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection, Dizdar has been admitted into UT's prestigious LBJ School of Public Affairs and will pursue a master's degree in international business.
Pritchett (Durham, N.C.) earned All-Big 12 honors this season when he placed 10th in the 50-yard freestyle at the Big 12 Championships. A three-time Academic All-Big 12 first team selection, Pritchett was the men's swimming and diving recipient of this year's Lan Hewlett Award, given to the student-athlete with the highest grade-point average on his respective team.
A history major who has navigated through a rigorous pre-medicine curriculum, Pritchett hopes to enroll in medical school in 2008.
The postgraduate scholarships are named in honor of the late Dr. Prentice Gautt, a former Big 12 Conference staff member and student services pioneer who passed away in March of 2005. The list of all-time recipients has grown to 177 since the inception of the league in 1996-97.
Starting in 2002-03, additional funding increased scholarship award winners to two per member institution. To date, the Big 12 has provided $1,025,600 for postgraduate education. The individual grants began at $2,500 in 1996-97, were raised to $5,000 in 1999, increased to $6,900 for 2004-05 and climbed to $7,500 in 2006-07.
Criteria for the awards include a cumulative grade point average of 3.500 on a 4.000 scale, participation in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics at the nominee's respective institution and completion of athletics' eligibility.
The student-athletes also must graduate from their respective member institutions within 15 months of their selection for a postgraduate scholarship and are expected to enroll in graduate/professional schools within two years of graduation.
Three faculty representatives, one senior woman administrator and one director of athletics form the selection panel for the awards. Two scholarships were awarded to each Big 12 Conference member school.
