North Carolina Central University

WOMEN'S TENNIS

     (STAMFORD, CONN. -- June 13, 2002)  North Carolina Central University senior tennis player Ria Bazie has been voted to the 2002 Verizon Academic All-America® Women's At-Large College Division First Team, as chosen by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America).
     A native of St. Joseph, Trinidad, Bazie earned a perfect overall grade point average of 4.000 with a major of Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing. 
    Bazie's excellence carried over from the classroom to the tennis court, claiming CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Championship titles at No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles. During the 2002 season, she achieved an overall single record of 11-5. 
    Bazie, who graduated from NCCU on May 11 and will be attending the Notre Dame School of Law in the fall, was the recipient of several academic honors, including The University Award for Academic Excellence, The Dean's Award in the School of Business, The Marketing Award in the School of Business, and The Chancellor's Award for the student-athlete with the highest grade point average. She also was a member of the University Honors Program, the Dean's List "A" Honor Roll, and the NCCU Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
     A complete list of the Verizon Academic All-America Women's At-Large Teams in both divisions is listed below.
     This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Verizon Academic All-America program, which was founded by CoSIDA in 1952 to recognize collegiate student-athletes for their outstanding achievements in the classroom and on the playing field.  Over the past 50 years, the Verizon Academic All-America program has grown into one of the most recognized and prestigious collegiate scholar-athlete awards nationwide, honoring student-athletes from all NCAA championship sports.
      The Verizon Academic All-America Teams are selected by a vote of the 1,800-member CoSIDA.  To be eligible, an athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 on a scale of 4.00.  Sports information directors nominate eligible athletes from their schools who are named to district teams prior to being voted upon the national level.
     "This group of student-athletes typifies the kind of individuals the founders had in mind when the Academic All-America program was formed in 1952.  In this, our 50th anniversary year, the members of CoSIDA are proud to play a part in this tremendous program," said Dick Lipe, CoSIDA's Academic All-America chairman.
     Under an agreement with CoSIDA, Verizon, formerly GTE, has been the exclusive sponsor of the Academic All-America program since 1985. Verizon, America's literacy champion, strongly believes that literacy is a key ingredient to success and outstanding achievements in life. The Academic All-America program is an integral part of Verizon Reads, the company's national campaign to promote literacy through corporate philanthropy, partner collaboration, community outreach, and customer and employee participation.