Gates, Sullivan Selected for Big 12 Postgraduate Scholarships

IRVING, Texas ? Huskers Amanda Gates and Nick Sullivan were among 24 Big 12 student-athletes selected to receive 2008-09 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships the Big 12 Conference announced Tuesday.

The scholarships are named in honor of the late Dr. Prentice Gautt, a former Big 12 Conference staff member and student services’ pioneer who passed away in March 2005. Criteria for the awards includes a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale, participation in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics at the nominee’s respective institution and completion of athletics’ eligibility.  Three faculty representatives, one senior woman administrator and one director of athletics form the selection panel for the awards.

Sullivan and Gates were selected as Nebraska’s Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year, respectively for the 2008-09 academic year.

Sullivan recently completed his career on the diamond, helping the Huskers to three straight NCAA Regionals during his career. As a senior, he hit .272 with seven homers and 29 RBIs, ranking second on the team in both homers and walks. He appeared in 169 games as a Husker, belting 12 homers and driving in 72 runs during his career.  Off the field, Sullivan, who carries a 3.78 GPA in finance and received his degree last month. He was a three-time academic All-Big 12 pick and first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District VII honoree in 2008. Sullivan was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for four seasons and was active in NU’s Life Skills program.

Gates wrapped up her volleyball career last December, helping the Huskers to their third NCAA National Semifinal appearance in four years. A first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American, Gates averaged 1.78 kills and a team-high 1.14 blocks per set, as the Huskers posted a 31-3 record and won their fifth consecutive conference title. Off the court, Gates, who carries a 3.96 GPA in communication studies, was a three-time first-team academic All-Big 12 pick and was honored for her contributions to the community with her selection to the Big 12 Good Works Team in 2008. Gates was an officer in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for the last two years and coordinated the Nebraska volleyball team’s community outreach efforts, helping the Huskers earn the Athletic Department’s Life Skills Award in 2007 and 2008.