June 30, 2004

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - Yuri Suguiyama, a 2004 University of North Carolina graduate and 2003 amd 2004 All-America selectionas a swimmer during his Tar Heel career, was awarded one of 32 postgraduate scholarships from the National Collegiate Athletic Association through its Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Programs Wednesday. Suguiyama is a four-year Tar Heel letterman from Ijamsville, Md., who served as co-captain of the 2003-04 UNC team.

The goal of the NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Programs is to increase the pool of and opportunities for qualified ethnic minorities and female candidates in intercollegiate athletics. The recipients are ethnic minorities and women who have completed an undergraduate degree and have been accepted or are seeking admission into an NCAA member institution's sports administration or a related program, and who intend to pursue a career in athletics. The one-time scholarship award is valued at $6,000.

Applicants must be entering their first semester or term of postgraduate studies and have perfomed with distinction as student-body members at their respective institutions. The applicants' involvement in extracurricular activities, course work, commitment to the pursuit of a career in intercollegiate athletics and promise for success in such a career also are factors in the selection process.