June 8, 2007
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Noriko Nakazaki (Hanover Park, Ill./Hoffman Estates), a recent Notre Dame graduate and former member of the Fighting Irish women’s golf team, has been named a recipient of the 2007 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award. This marked the second straight season that Nakazaki has earned the honor.
The award was inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.’s commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis. Diverse: Issues In Higher Education established the Sports Scholars Awards to honor undergraduate students of color who have made achieving both academically and athletically a winning combination.
In addition to their athletic ability, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must exhibit academic excellence and community activism. To be included, students have to compete in an intercollegiate sport; maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2; and be active on their campuses or in their communities. Awards are presented to student-athletes in 15 male sports and 13 female sports.
Nakazaki concluded her stellar Notre Dame career with a program-record stroke average of 75.80. Her 75.41 average from the 2006-07 campaign stands as the program’s top single-season mark. She also is the only four-time all-BIG EAST women’s golfer in Notre Dame history and the only student-athlete in program history to compete in three NCAA Tournaments.
In May, Nakazaki graduated with a degree in finance from the Mendoza College of Business. She finished with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.424. Nakazaki is currently playing on the Futures Tour.
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