Recent 2017 graduate James Gehrels of the Pepperdine men’s volleyball team was awarded a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship as announced on Monday afternoon. Gehrels is one of only 29 other men throughout the nation to be honored with the scholarship.
“This award is truly a highlight of my collegiate career,” said Gehrels. “I am honored to have been nominated by Pepperdine University and am forever thankful for the opportunities that have been provided to me throughout the years. I am grateful to receive this prestigious award and continue my education at the University of Florida while pursuing my Masters in sports management.”
Gehrels (Tucson, Ariz./Salpointe Catholic HS) maintained a 3.71 grade point average throughout his four years as a Wave. He was a four-time Pepperdine Scholar Athlete and earned MPSF All-Academic honors in 2016. He served as co-President of the Waves Leadership Council, Vice Chair of the NCAA Division I SAAC for the national office and was the WCC SAAC representative to DI SAAC.
On the court, he averaged 1.47 kills/set, 0.68 digs/set, 0.37 blocks/set and 0.13 aces/set to earn 1.82 points/set for the Waves in 38 total sets played. He amassed 56 kills on 132 swings for a .205 success rate on the attack, while adding five aces, 26 digs and 14 blocks including two solo rejections towards the Malibu Roofing effort.
The NCAA awards up to 174 postgraduate scholarships annually. The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are at least in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition.
The one-time non-renewable scholarships of $7,500 are awarded three times a year corresponding to each sport season (fall, winter and spring). Each sports season there are 29 scholarships available for men and 29 for women for use in an accredited graduate program.
Anyone eligible must have an overall undergraduate minimum grade point average of 3.200, not including any graduate level hours, must be outstanding citizens and excellent role models for the institution and intercollegiate athletics as a whole, must have performed with distinction as a varsity team member and intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree.
For more scholarship details, go to NCAA.org.
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Press Release courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics.
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