Check out an interview with Ashley
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Already named Valedictorian for the class of 2013, the academic awards continue to roll in for Ashley Armstrong of Santa Clara women's basketball as she was awarded the West Coast Conference Female Postgraduate Scholarship. This will be the 10th year the award has been handed out and at least one Bronco has been honored six times, including three years in a row. Armstrong will graduate in June with a major in Anthropology and minors in Economics and International Business while posting a 3.9 GPA. Armstrong will begin her Masters of Philosophy in the fall at Cambridge.
"I felt so privileged to represent Santa Clara and be recognized for my accomplishments as a student-athlete at the WCC Awards Ceremony," said Armstrong. "It was incredible and a bit unreal to be surrounded by all of the presidents, athletic directors, senior women's administrators, and incredible student-athletes from all of the WCC schools. I would definitely say it was a memorable event that capped off my four unbelievable and transformative years on the Mission campus and playing in the WCC."
The night was also very special to Armstrong, who got to be around representatives from the conference.
"I was really lucky to share the night with my dad, especially since my family has supported me tremendously throughout my career," continued Armstrong. "Most of the night was spent mingling with representatives from other schools. I also had to give a speech, and I jested that I am not accustomed to complimenting other schools in the WCC. Overall, the night was so much fun. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of it, but it could not have been possible without the continuous backing of the administration, my coaches, and teammates."
The West Coast Conference Postgraduate Scholarship is awarded to two student-athletes pursuing graduate school or professional school education. Candidates must own a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, demonstrate a significant athletic contribution on the varsity athletic level in a WCC sponsored sport, and participate in a WCC sport for a minimum of two years. In addition, candidates must have a record of participating in campus or community activities, completed their athletic eligibility, and competed in intercollegiate athletics in the academic year in which they are nominated.
Armstrong was a four-time Dean's List member, four-time President's Gold Honor Roll member, two-time WCC All-Academic Team member, a 2012 Santa Clara University Rhodes Scholarship Candidate, and a 2012 Global Social Benefit Fellowship recipient (given by Center for Science, Technology, and Society to only 10 undergraduate students).
On the court, Armstrong served as the team captain of the Santa Clara women's basketball team and was one of her team's top five leading scorers and rebounders from 2010-2012. She was also a member of the eighth-seeded Santa Clara team that advanced to semifinals of the 2010 WCC Championships.
In addition to her academic and athletic accomplishments, Armstrong also co-founded Youth 2 Give Philanthropy Group. She served as an ESL Tutor for the Santa Clara Community Action Program, coached for the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (BAWSI), volunteered at Julian Street Homeless Shelter, and was a member of the Green Club and Santa Clara Entrepreneurs Organization.
