Kanisha Campbell of the Illinois State womens soccer team, and Jackie Williams, of the softball team, were selected as Arthur Ashe Jr. Award winners for their excellence in athletics, academics and community activism. Campbell was named to the Arthur Ashe Jr. Award second team, while Williams was selected to the third team.
Campbell, a native of Brampton, Ontario, carries a 3.60 grade-point average in biological sciences. As a sophomore, she led the Redbirds to a 10-6-4 record coming on strong mid-way through the season scoring goals in wins over Drury, Northern Iowa and the tie against SMS. Campbell was also recognized during the 2004 season as a CoSIDA Academic All-District V pick, a Valley Scholar-Athlete, All-Valley first team member and was named to the Soccer Buzz All Great Lakes Region second team.
Campbell participates in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, volunteers her time with professors in the aide of computer labs on campus and also tutors students.
I feel very honored and privileged to receive an award like this, said Campbell. I was very surprised and am very appreciative to be nominated for such an award.
A right fielder for the Redbirds, Williams hails from Urbana, Ill., and carries a 3.30 grade-point average in criminal justice. As a leader on the team, Williams recently hit her first career home run on April 27 in an 11-2 win over Northern Illinois. She has played in 31 games this season for the Birds while making 20 starts. Williams is batting .200 this season with nine hits, eight runs scored, two doubles, one home run and four RBI.
Williams is involved in a variety of community service projects in the Bloomington-Normal community and back home. She has been involved in the State Farm/Missouri Valley Conference Just Read! program, Big Brothers Big Sisters and provides assistance to the Urbana and Champaign school districts.
Its really an honor to be recognized with this kind of an award, said Williams. I knew I had been nominated for it, but I didnt know much about it. Cutie Taylor received the award a few years ago so thats how I had heard about it. Its awesome to be chosen for something like this.
Black Issues in Higher Education established the Arthur Ashe Jr. Scholar Award to honor undergraduate students of color who have been successful both athletically and academically. To meet the requirements of the Arthur Ashe, Jr. Scholar Award, the candidate must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.20 and be active on their campus or in their community. The award was started in 1993 in the memory of tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr. and his commitment to education and love for the game of tennis.
