IRVING, Texas (June 30, 2005) – USF softball player Tiffany Stewart and women's cross country athlete Christa Benton were named the recipients of the 2004-05 Scholar Athlete of the Year Award in their respective sports and men's soccer player Chris Raye was named a Post-Graduate Scholarship recipient as announced today by Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky. The awards are based on academic achievement, athletics achievement and service.
Stewart, who received the honor by earning a 3.95 grade point average (GPA) - out of a 4.0 - in psychology, was the Bulls' leader in batting average, hitting .399 on the season with nine home runs and 40 RBIs. A two-time Conference USA Hitter of the Week this past season, Stewart's .399 batting average ranks tied for fifth best during a single season at USF and her slugging percentage of .627 ranks second best. The Odessa, Fla. native also contributes time off the field to community service as she is currently a youth Sunday school teacher and also helps special needs/handicapped children at camp. Stewart was also honored this year as an Academic All-American and received the commissioner's academic medal while making the commissioner's honor roll as well.
Benton was honored with award after she achieved a 3.93 GPA in music. A C-USA academic medal recipient and member of the commissioner's honor roll, Benton has earned all conference honors on three occasions, including a pair of first team honors in 2002 and 2003. Also on the USF Dean's List of Scholars, she was the first USF runner to earn cross-country All-America honors doing so her freshman year.
Raye, who was one of seven athletes rewarded with $5,000 scholarship from C-USA as voted on by the Faculty Athletics Representatives, earned four varsity letters as a left defender for the Bulls. He was named an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American following his senior season, posting a 3.95 GPA, and also earned a spot on the USF Dean's List of Scholars. A Psychology major, Raye received the USF Provost Scholars Award, was a member of the Psi Chi Honors Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and earned the Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal. The Bradenton, Fla., native plans to pursue his Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Florida.
