University of Louisiana women’s basketball student-athlete D’Mya Clay and men’s track student-athlete Justin Jones were named 2011 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars in the April 28 publication of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.

The duo are the only two NCAA Division I student-athletes representing the state of Louisiana on the honors list.

Clay, a senior from Columbus, Ohio, earned honors after posting a 3.47 cumulative GPA. Clay, a sports management major, contributed to numerous community service efforts including ‘Reading in Red’ which toured over 17 schools in the Acadiana area. Clay also serves on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

The senior finished second all-time in school history with 119 games played. She notched five double-digit games in the 2010-11 season and managed a season-high 15 points in UL’s first round contest at the Sun Belt Conference tournament on March 5.

Jones, a sophomore track & field athlete, accumulated a 3.42 GPA through the fall semester. The Jonesboro native served in many community service projects at UL, including ‘Reading in Red’ and the Cajun Cup Road Race. Jones also volunteered for the Lafayette Senior Olympics.

The sports management major has UL’s top mark in the men’s 100-meter dash with a time of 10.56. He has also participated in the 4×100 and 4×400 meter relays at the Louisiana Classics on March 19.

The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards were established to honor undergraduate students of color who have outstanding achievements in academic and athletic performance, as well as community activism. To be included, students must compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2, and be active on their campuses or in their communities.

The awards were inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr. and his commitment to education and love for the game of tennis. The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards have been presented since 1995.

— Ragin’ Cajuns —