Feb. 13, 2003
LEXINGTON, Ky. -
The University of Kentucky inducted 29 student-athletes into the Frank G. Ham Society of Character during halftime of the UK-Georgia men's basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 11. The football team leads the list with eight members, while 18 of UK's 22 sports had at least one student-athlete inducted.
The Society of Character is part of the University of Kentucky's CHAMPS/Life Skills Program. It is designed to help student-athletes realize the value of higher academic achievement, a higher level of maturity, self-responsibility and greater overall success. The Society was founded in 1998 to recognize those individuals who epitomize the term "student-athlete." Each candidate is nominated by a counselor, coach, trainer or manager and then evaluated on five criteria:
commitment to academic excellence,
commitment to athletic participation,
commitment to personal development,
commitment to being a role-model, and
commitment to preparing for the world of work.
The mission of the Society of Character is:
to recognize student-athletes who have achieved and continue to achieve a high level in all areas of their life,
to bring together these high achieving student-athletes for interactive programs:
to further enhance the high achieving student-athletes' best interests and well being,
to promote continued interaction with other organizations.
Each candidate nominated for election into the Society of Character must meet the following requirements:
must have completed a minimum of 30 hours prior to nomination,
must have a competitive grade-point average,
must demonstrate a commitment to their academic success as well as to personal development, career development and service activities.
This year's class includes:
Student-Athlete Sport
Tayo Agboke Football
Lyndsey Angus Softball
Jed Bassett Football
Aaron Boone Football
Leigh Bradwell Women's Tennis
Daniel Burnett Football
Melody Cook Rifle
David Freeman Track & Field
Kelli Frost Swimming & Diving
Eva Gessner Women's Golf
Julia Gore Gymnastics
Otis Grigsby Football
Antonio Hall Football
Nikki Jones Softball
Anne Koester Volleyball
Robert Krukoski Rifle
Kara McCue Women's Soccer
Lindsey Meagher Rifle
Thomas Morgan Track & Field
Ronnie Riley Football
John Robinson Football
Hunter Spencer Track & Field
J.D. Stephenson Men's Soccer
Gordon Tyler Baseball
David Waespe Baseball
Brooke Walters Women's Soccer
Roger Watkins Swimming & Diving
Matt Wells Men's Golf
Bradley Wheeldon Rifle
-UK-
