The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
James Oliver Selected For NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
7/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 23, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Recently graduated pitcher James Oliver of the UAB baseball team has been selected as a 2008-09 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient.
Each year the NCAA awards 174 postgraduate scholarships, divided equally between male and female athletes, with 58 recipients named in each the fall, winter and spring sports seasons. Each scholarship winner receives a one-time $7,500 grant to go toward postgraduate studies.
Student-athletes in their final year of eligibility are chosen for the scholarships based upon both academic and athletic accomplishments. In addition, campus involvement, community and volunteer service and leadership are also considered.
Oliver, who graduated with an overall GPA of 3.85 and begins medical school at UAB this month, has been highly decorated since the end of his senior season this past spring.
The two-time Conference USA All-Academic Team selection was named the 2009 C-USA Scholar-Athlete of the Year for baseball. He was also honored with the conference's Jim Castañeda Postgraduate Scholarship and was selected as one of the league's "Spirit of Service" award winners.
On the mound, Oliver appeared in 58 career games. He totaled 142.2 innings of work and posted eight career wins. In 2009, Oliver pitched in 15 games with nine starts while holding opponents to a .269 batting average and helping the Blazers to a 31-26 overall record.
