June 13, 2008

Contact: Alfred Kojima 

     

      

GURAK RECIPIENT OF NCAA DIVISION II DEGREE-COMPLETION AWARD
 

MONTEVALLO (6/13) -- Julie Gurak is a recipient of the NCAA Division II Degree- Completion Award for the 2008-09 school year, it has been announced.

The 5-6 Vestavia native recently completed her fourth and final season of competition at the University of Montevallo. She is one of three Falcons to receive the financial award, which will assist her to complete degree requirements for her bachelor's degree. Gurak has a 3.0 overall GPA in Family and Consumer Sciences at UM.

Glenn Murphy (Men's Soccer) and Zach Andrews (Baseball) are the other two UM student-athlete recipients for the Degree-Completion Award program for 2007-08.

Gurak helped anchor a Lady Falcon defense that posted 20 shutout victories in her four-year career, including four shutout victories this past fall. A four-year starter on defense, the Lady Falcons won the program's first-ever Gulf South Conference Championship and NCAA Division II Regional Tournament appearance. UM also recorded a school-record 15 victories this past fall to conclude the 2007 season with a record of 15-8 overall.

The purpose of the NCAA Division II Degree-Completion Award is to provide financial assistance of a first baccalaureate degree to deserving student-athletes. Candidates will be students who have exhausted athletics eligibility and have received financial aid. The selection process for the national award emphasizes the academic performance of the student-athlete. Other factors considered are financial circumstances, athletic acheievement and involvement in campus and community activities.

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