During the recent Pac-10 collegiate basketball tournaments at
Staples Center in Los Angeles, Toyo presented the Pac-10
Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards for men’s and women’s
basketball.
The honors are presented throughout the entire academic season
to recognize outstanding players who also excel in academics
in each of the conference’s 22 sports.
Beginning in 2007, Toyo has donated $1,000 to the scholarship
funds of an institution’s athletic department for each winner
in recognition of their accomplishments. The company
distributes $22,000 each year to the Pac-10 schools.
On March 9, Rihards Kuksiks of Arizona State University
received an award from Marty Furman, Toyo’s chief operating
officer. Gloria Nevarez, senior associate commissioner at the
Pac-10, was also on hand for the presentation.
Kayla Pedersen of Stanford University was honored with the
Pac-10 Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award for women’s
basketball on March 11. Nevarez was joined by Anne Holland,
Toyo’s senior manager of sales operations, for the
presentation.
In order to be nominated for an award, players must be a
senior (in athletics eligibility) on track to receive a degree
while carrying a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or
higher.
“We congratulate both Rihards Kuksiks and Kayla Pedersen, and
all of the outstanding recipients of this prestigious award,”
says Furman, adding that the company “is proud to acknowledge
the accomplishments of these dedicated student-athletes who
lead in academics and in their sport.”
For more information, visit www.pac-10.org and www.toyotires.com.
