(Apr. 12, 2001) -- Giovanni Fernandes, a men's soccer player at the University of Kentucky, and Megan Weiskircher, a women's volleyball player, were named finalists for the Southeastern Conference's H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, the league office announced Tuesday, April 10.
A senior from Criciuma, Brazil, Fernandes is the second consecutive McWhorter honoree
from the UK men's soccer team, while Weiskircher, a senior from Houston, Texas, is the first
from the volleyball team. As finalists, Fernandes and Weiskircher each will receive a $5,000
post-graduate scholarship and are eligible for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and a
$10,000 post-graduate scholarship provided by the Alltel Corporation.
"This shows the outstanding dedication Giovanni has shown on and off the field," Coach
Ian Collins said. "We are very proud to have had the past two honorees for the University of
Kentucky come from the men's soccer team. Gio is representative of our commitment to be
successful on the field and in the classroom."
Fernandes has been a constant member of the Dean's List throughout his academic career and
has been an SEC Academic Honor Roll member from 1999-2001. In 1999, he was named a
PNC Bank Student Athlete of the Week, while participating in numerous community activities,
including "Breakfast with Santa," "Schoolhouse Rock" and trips to local schools and the UK
Children's Hospital. He also was named a second-team Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar in
2000.
"These finalists exemplify the pure meaning of a student-athlete," head volleyball coach Jona
Braden said. "Not only have these athletes performed well in competition and in the classroom,
but they also have provided a much needed service to their community."
Weiskircher has been on the Dean's List every semester while at UK. She was a three-time
member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and a 2000 second-team Verizon Academic
All-District IV member, while devoting her time to the "Kid's Café," a service which provides
meals to underprivileged children. She will graduate with a 3.97 grade-point average in food
and nutrition and will attend dental school at the University of Texas at Houston next fall.
Each SEC school chooses one male and one female athlete for the awards, and the outstanding
male and female student-athletes will be chosen by the SEC Faculty Athletics Representatives
Selection Committee at the SEC Spring Meetings in June.
"These student-athletes have shown everyone what it takes to be a winner in every aspect of
life," SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer said. "We are proud to salute these fine student-athletes
and hope that they can be an example for others to follow."
