CLEVELAND – LSU Track and Field’s Samantha Henry was selected as one of 10 finalists for the 2009-10 John McLendon Postgraduate Scholarship Friday as announced by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
Henry, a sprinter from Kingston, Jamaica, ended her career among LSU’s elite and tied for sixth in program history with 15 All-America certificates over her four seasons. She capped her senior season by leading the Lady Tigers to the team title at the 2010 SEC Outdoor Championships, while she also earned indoor All-America honors in the 60 meters and 200 meters and outdoor All-America honors in the 200 meters, 4×100-meter relay and 4×400-meter relay.
As a sophomore, Henry helped lead the Lady Tigers to their 25th national championship in team history with their victory at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. She was also a key member of four SEC championship teams, including outdoor titles in 2007, 2008 and 2010 and an indoor title in 2008.
The John McLendon Memorial Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Awards are presented to senior-level minority students who intend to pursue a graduate degree in athletics administration. Joining Henry as finalists are Francie Ekwerekwu (Oklahoma), Ashley Hicks (Southern Cal), Tara Jackson (American), Leigh Jakes (Northwestern), Joshua Jones (Hampton), Stephanie Orji (Cheyney), Mandi Rodriguez (Oregon State), Annette Scott (American) and Stacy Uchida (Northwestern).
The winners will each receive a $10,000 grant to be used toward postgraduate studies in athletics administration. Funding for the scholarship program has been provided in part by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA); the Cleveland Cavaliers; Major League Baseball (MLB); the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC); the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA); the National Basketball Association (NBA); the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA); and Sears, Roebuck and Co.
NACDA will release the five recipients of this prestigious scholarship in late July.