INDIANAPOLIS—The Freedom Forum, in conjunction with the NCAA, has awarded eight $3,000 scholarships for undergraduate students studying sports journalism at NCAA member institutions.

The one-year, nonrenewable scholarships are awarded to students who are entering their senior year of study during the 2007-08 academic year and who are majoring in journalism, sports journalism or who have campus sports journalism experience.  The program is designed to foster freedoms of speech and press, while also promoting quality sports journalism education at NCAA colleges and universities.   Since 1992, the Freedom Forum has awarded 120 $3,000 scholarships, totaling more than $360,000.

The 2007-08 Freedom Forum/NCAA Sports Journalism Scholarship recipients are:  Tristan S. Aird, California Polytechnic State University; Katherine E. Carrera, Ohio University; Alexander D. Goldberger, Yale University; Whitney A. Harding, Southern Methodist University; Ashley R. Hicks, University of Southern California; Jonathan D. Hines, Indiana University; Joshua S. Robinson, Columbia University; and Lindsay R. Schnell, Oregon State University.

“The NCAA and the Freedom Forum are providing scholarship opportunities for students who are serious about their education and more specifically, the field of journalism,” said Charles L. Overby, chairman and chief executive officer of the Freedom Forum.  “It’s important that we have a solid pipeline of talent as we continue to develop the next generation of journalists.”  Overby is also a member of the NCAA Leadership Advisory Board.

The Freedom Forum, with offices in Arlington, Virginia, and at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit foundation dedicated to free press, free speech and free spirit for all people.  The foundation focuses on three priorities: the Newseum, the interactive museum of news in Arlington, Virginia; First Amendment issues; and diversity in journalism.  

Applications for the scholarships are judged by a selection committee chosen by the Freedom Forum and the NCAA.  In addition to completing the application form, students must supply a college transcript, three samples of sports journalism work and a letter of recommendation.  The deadline for applications is December of each year.

For more information about the Freedom Forum-NCAA Sports Journalism Scholarship, visit www.ncaa.org.