The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Dicharry, Fontenette awarded Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships
06.12.2012 | Texas Athletics
June 12, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas - Even on a Monday afternoon in the middle of summer, Austin Dicharry and Ashleigh Fontenette were far from relaxation mode.
Dicharry, for instance, was in Florida as he begins his stint with the Washington Nationals' rookie league. Fontenette, on the other hand, remains in Austin and took a day off from basketball to take her LSAT.
Both Dicharry, a pitcher for the Texas Baseball team, and Fontenette, a four-year starter at guard for women's basketball, have plans to pursue higher education, and they recently were rewarded an opportunity to help achieve just that.
Dicharry and Fontenette have been awarded Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships from the Big 12. Criteria for these awards include a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, participation in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics at the scholar-athlete's respective institution, and completion of athletics eligibility.
A committee of three faculty athletics representatives, one senior woman administrator and one director of athletics form the selection group for the postgraduate scholarship awards.
Dicharry plans to return to Austin in the fall after his work with the Nationals organization is complete and then begin preparing for his GRE. The advertising major said that he's always entertained the idea of pursuing his MBA, but this scholarship made the decision easier.
"I want to take it as far as it goes," Dicharry said.
Fontenette said she's pursuing an overseas basketball contract and hopes to be playing by late August. But ultimately her plan is to apply to law school and hopes to be in attendance in Fall 2013.
Fontenette majored in sport management at UT and said she will focus her law school choices on the programs that offer sports law and sports management focuses.
"I think I've been given a great opportunity just because it's one of the best universities in the country," Fontenette said of her degree from UT. "From here I can pretty much go anywhere and do anything, and I think the opportunities that are going to open up for me are just unimaginable, so I'm excited about it."
Dicharry maintained a 3.54 GPA as an advertising senior, and said he concentrated on his scholastic focus throughout the baseball seasons.
"I feel fortunate to receive this (scholarship), but I also know a lot of work went into it," Dicharry said. "I spent many hours before practice and after practice doing my school work. I wanted to put myself in a good position."
Fontenette credits her time at The University for revealing her professional passions. During summers, she interned at local law offices, and it was during those hours she knew law school was where she ultimately needed to be.
"Texas has prepared me for life after college," Fontenette said. "It wasn't easy. Texas has instilled in me that you have to work hard for what you want."
