INDIANAPOLIS – Brian Brunner, a former quarterback at Central Michigan University, and Anna Rynarzewska, a former tennis player at Florida State University, are the first recipients of the Jim McKay Scholarships, which will be presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete who have excelled academically and plan to pursue postgraduate studies in the communications industry.  

The Jim McKay Scholarship program was established in 2008 to recognize the immense contributions and legacy of pioneer sports journalist Jim McKay and to assist former student-athletes who plan to work on a postgraduate degree at an NCAA college or university.  

Brunner and Rynarzewska will each receive a $10,000 award for their outstanding academic achievements.    Brunner plans to pursue a master’s degree and a Ph.D in journalism, while Rynarzewski plans to pursue a Ph.D in mass communications and marketing.

“The NCAA is pleased to announce the two student-athletes who are the first to receive Jim McKay Scholarships,” said Delise O’Meally, NCAA director of membership and student-athlete affairs.   “We’re recognizing two student-athletes who excelled at the highest levels academically while competing in sports and doing community service.    When you think of Jim McKay and how he embodied the best of sports, journalism and professionalism, our scholarship recipients have an excellent role model in which to pattern their careers.”

Brunner, a native of Hubertus, Wisc., earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in English and sports studies.   He was captain on the Central Michigan University football team and earned numerous awards for his athletic and academic accomplishments, including Mid-American Conference Scholar and Player of the Week honors.   He also holds the school football record for passing yards in a game and has been recognized for his leadership at the university and on the team.    He interned in the sports information office while at CMU and with the Saginaw News, and was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.   Brunner also participated in community outreach, which included working on fundraisers, working with and speaking to middle and high school quarterbacks about the importance of education, and raising money for needy families at Christmas time.

Rynarzewska, a native of Inowroclaw, Poland, was a member of Florida State’s SAAC and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.  She interned in the sports information office and got experience with events planning, fundraising and accounts coordination during her collegiate years at FSU.   She was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference honor roll and the All-Academic ACC Team between 2006-2008; to the Dean’s List three times; and to the President’s List twice.  She was the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar Athlete of the Year (2006-08) and the FSU Golden Torch Award winner for achieving the highest GPA on her tennis team.   She graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in public relations.   She also participated in food drives and various activities in the city and on campus while competing and going to school.