Gross earns prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

April 9, 2007

Green Bay, Wis. - Stephanie Gross, a senior on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women's soccer team, has been named one of 29 female student-athletes from the fall seasons to receive an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Award. Gross will receive $7,500 to continue her education following her graduation from UW-Green Bay this spring.

A native of Fond du Lac, Wis., Gross is one of just 87 female student-athletes across all three NCAA divisions to be granted a scholarship this season. Gross is the first student-athlete from UW-Green Bay to earn a postgraduate scholarship from the NCAA.

"Stephanie has been a great ambassador for UW-Green Bay, both as a student and an athlete," said UW-Green Bay Director of Athletics Ken Bothof. "This is a well-deserved honor for her, and we are excited she can use this opportunity to continue her education."

Earlier this year, Gross was named an ESPN the Magazine First-Team Academic All-American, becoming UW-Green Bay's first first-team Academic All-American since women's basketball standout Chari Nordgaard in 1999.

Gross, a double major in human development and psychology with a 3.835 grade point average, finished her soccer career at UW-Green Bay as the only player to ever tally 30 career goals and 20 career assists. She ranks third in team history with 89 career points on 34 goals and 21 assists. As a senior in 2006, Gross posted 32 points and ranked in the top 15 in the NCAA in goals scored.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Program began in 1964 to promote and encourage postgraduate education by rewarding the Association's most accomplished student athletes through their participation in NCAA championship and/or emerging sports. Athletics and academic achievements, as well as campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities and demonstrated leadership, are evaluated.

"The NCAA postgraduate scholarships are very competitive awards," said UW-Green Bay Faculty Athletics Representative Donna Ritch. "Stephanie has proven to be a hard-working student-athlete during her career, and she is worthy of this honor."

Story provided by UW-Green Bay Sports Information Office.