UNLV REBELS

June 1, 2009

LAS VEGAS - On May 28, 2009, Diverse Issues in Higher Education announced the 2009 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars. Three outstanding UNLV student-athletes received this prestigious recognition: Rodelin Anthony (Football), LaShante Ellison (Track and Field) and Marquel Martin (Football).

Each year, Diverse Issues in Higher Education awards minority student-athletes from all NCAA sports, placing 20 each on first, second and third teams. The criteria for the award require that nominees have completed one full academic year at the nominating institution, be enrolled for the fall term of the academic year being nominated, be an active member of an intercollegiate athletic team during the 2008-09 academic year, and must have demonstrated a record of service to the campus or community.

The two football award winners from UNLV exhibit all of these characteristics. Martin, who earned second-team honors, earned a 3.38 fall grade point average (GPA) and an overall GPA of 3.41. Martin, who just graduated this spring with a bachelor of arts in journalism & media studies, has participated in numerous community outreach events since he enrolled at UNLV, including Nevada Reading Week, Sickle Cell Disease Benefits and volunteering at Opportunity Village.

Anthony earned third-team honors. He earned a 3.57 fall GPA and a 3.26 cumulative GPA, and will graduate with a double major in political science and journalism & media studies in fall 2009. Anthony also is active in the Las Vegas community, volunteering with the Rotary Club of Las Vegas Santa Clothes Program and the Las Vegas Santa Run during each of his years here. He is on the Football Leadership Committee and is the football representative to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Anthony also represented UNLV at the 2008 NCAA Student-Athlete Development Conference in Orlando, Florida.

UNLV's track & field team also celebrated the second-team honors of Ellison, who is only a sophomore. She earned a 3.8 fall GPA and 3.73 cumulative GPA in social work. Ellison is an active youth leader in her church and serves as a role model for children. She also was one of four nominees for the 2009 NCAA Student-Athlete Development Conference. Ellison currently serves as the track & field team representative to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.