2024-2025 Scholar Application 6th-12th Grade
Information
Every fall a statewide search begins to find premiere African American male scholar athletes. These Arizona student athletes must exhibit in their lives a commitment to high academic standards and substantive service to their communities.
All of these athletes will be recognized on this website and in the media. All high school and jr high student athletes are eligible (6th grade-12th grade).
Top finalist will be eligible to attend in The National Alliance “Watkins Award” in Washington D.C. (naaaa.com) February 21-23, 2025.
Application Deadline December 27, 2024, 11:59pm.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must meet the following:
· Male Student Athlete
· Have some African American Heritage
· High School or JR High Student(6th grade-12th grade).
· 3.0gpa or Higher
· Good Athlete(any sport)
· Past Community Service or willing to do some in the future
NEWS on Phoenix Chapter Athletes
Mayor Honors Athletes
Two Lake Havasu High School student athletes received state honors this week. Mayor Cal Sheehy proclaimed Oct. 12 Gerald Bolden Jr. and Isaac Bolden Day. The boys achieved the Scholar Athlete of the Year Award from the Phoenix Chapter of the National Alliance of African American Athletes. The award was an honor for the boys as well as for LHHS.
https://riverscenemagazine.com/lake-havasu-high-school-athletes-receive-state-honor/
Mayor of Tempe & Habitat for Humanity
Phoenix Chapter Scholar Athletes teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to work on a home project. The Mayor of Tempe, Corey Woods came out to be a part of all the fun and thanked the athletes for their commitment . The newly completed homes will provide residents of Tempe much needed housing. One of the homes is Arizona's first 3D printed houses.
Dawson Hubbard- Signed to Butler University
Dawson Hubbard one of the top DT in the state of Arizona, has signed to Butler University . The class of 2022 Phoenix Chapter Scholar Athlete has 3.6gpa and wants to major in Business Marketing. Dawson played in 9 games and finished with 55 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery and 2 QB hurries. His Hamilton(Chandler, AZ)team Nationally ranked #10. A disruptive presences that will make any defensive line better
Interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ6A-qXkNi4&t=32s
Highlights -https://www.hudl.com/profile/7724541/Dawson-Hubbard
Follow Dawson at https://twitter.com/dawson7512
Zay Freeney - South Mountain HIgh
Zay is headed to NYU!!!!!! Congratulations to Zay Freeney(class 2021)for a a very successful year, on and off the basketball court. Zay finished the 2019-2020 year with an overall GPA of 4.67. Yes, that is on a 4.0 scale!!!!! This great GPA is going to serve him well when he enters college to get his law degree. On the the court Zay led his team to the semi-finals of the Arizona State Basketball Championships. Below are the awards and highlight link from Zay Freeney's junior year -1st team All Metro Region -Co Metro Region POY -Metro Region Offensive POY -1st team All PUHSD -1st Team All 5A conference - 5A Conference Offensive POY
https://zayfreeney.weebly.com/video-highlights.html… https://youtu.be/Z_2jPjkWGGc
Lorenzo Alexander - Retires
After 15 years the two-time Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro in 2016 said he had done everything he needed to do. He was retiring from the NFL. In 2016 Zo had a career-high 12.5 sacks and was the All-Pro Game MVP. He was a guy that played over 9 different positions on the football field. He gave everything he had at University of Cal and took that work ethic to the NFL. Over his career he played as a defensive tackle, offensive lineman, tight end and linebacker. He always said he was a football player and was willing to play any position on the field. He was just as committed on the field as he was with his family, the communities he played in and the people he was able to touch. He has been an invaluable supporter of the Phoenix Chapter and our athletes. Because of his hard work in the community the Buffalo Bills nominated Zo ad their Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Markus Howard - NBA Denver Nuggets
Markus went to Perry High in Chandler,AZ while maintaining a 3.5gpa. He transferred to Findlay Prep to take his game to the next level. This past year he finished his 4th year at Marquette University. He has won several awards while attending Marquette. Awards - Big East Honor Roll, 2-time Consensus All-American, AP All-American, 3-time All-Big East, 2018-19 All-Big East Player of the Year, All-Freshman Team, Lead the nation in free throw percentage, Led the nation in scoring with 27.8pts per game. Markus has signed a contract to play the 2021 season with the NBA's Denver Nuggets.
https://twitter.com/markushoward11?lang=en
Scholar Athletes Recognized by the Tempe School Board
Delano Salgado(3.8gpa) and Jaad Waters( 3.8gpa) from Mountain Pointe High School both were recognized for the their positive contributions to the student body.
Jaad is pursuing a degree in 3D printing at Arizona State University. Jaad had a very successful senior year playing basketball and leading his boy's volleyball team to the state playoffs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c9t-1QYgYY
Delano Salgado ran track, played football and dabbled with baseball during this year. He is playing defensive back and returning punts at Georgetown University while getting his degree in computer science.