July 26, 2005

Los Angeles, CA (July 26) -- Loyola Marymount University rower Caitlin McClain capped an incredible four-year career when she graduated Summa Cum Laude and LMU Student-Athlete of the year this past May. She continued to add to the resume as the NCAA announced this month she is one of 28 female student-athletes participating in spring sports across the nation to receive an NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship.

Each of the 29 male and 29 female student-athletes will receive a scholarship of $7,500. The NCAA also awards 114 postgraduate scholarships to student-athletes who compete in fall and winter sports for a total of 170 annually. One qualification for a student-athlete to receive a postgraduate scholarship is he/she must have the equivalent of an overall grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale to be considered for nomination.

McClain graduated with a 3.94 grade point average and was a double major in Urban Studies and Political Science. She was a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) All-Academic Selection the last two years and is a three-time WCC All-Academic selection. Outside of athletics, she is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu (National Jesuit Honor Society), chair of LMU SAAC, member of Lions' Fund Council, member of SAM program (mentoring freshman student-athletes), the Resident Housing Association Vice President and a Collegiate Search Organization Tutor.

A four-year rower for the LMU crew team, McClain was named the 2004-05 Female Student-Athlete of the Year and during the course of her career has led the Lions to new levels of success. She rows in the 8-seat for the Lions, the spot usually reserved for the team's top rower. She led the Varsity 8 team to the Jessop-Whittier Cup at the San Diego Crew Classic, a race reserved for the top-16 boats in the nation. She helped the Lions earn a win over Purdue in the Petite Final.

Other requirements for the post graduate scholarship include: the student-athlete performing with distinction on varsity team in the sport, he/she must intend to continue to pursue educational opportunities beyond the baccalaureate degree as a full-time or part-time graduate student and he/she must have behaved on and off the field in a manner that brought credit to the student-athlete, the institution and intercollegiate athletics.

McClain is the fifth Lion in the last four years to earn a post graduate scholarship. The list includes Devon Courtney (2002 - Women's Water Polo - NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship), Jeff Kovar (2003 - Men's Soccer - NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship), Laura Gustorf (2003 - Women's Volleyball - NCAA Women/Minority Post Graduate Scholarship) and Kealani Kimball (2004 - Women's Volleyball - NCAA Women/Minority Post Graduate Scholarship).

As for is next for McClain, who must begin use the scholarship by 2008, she plans to take a year off to coach rowing before pursuing a law degree. Here is an excerpt from her personal statement on the NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship application.

"I plan to pursue a degree in law from Georgetown University. This decision stems from my long-standing passion to work for the public interest. With its excellent academic reputation and ethical focus, I believe Georgetown University offers the ideal environment for me to continue my education. In addition to pursuing the JD degree, I plan to apply to Georgetown's Public Interest Law School Scholars Program. Specifically "designed for law students who want to dedicate most or all of their careers to public service," the PILS program will impart to me even greater opportunities to enhance my preparedness for the future, including faculty advising and career mentoring. It also requires students to participate in yearly volunteer work within the surrounding community.

"Although I am confident that this is the direction I wish to follow, I have also realized my need to take a brief hiatus from academia. The past four years of intense scholastic and athletic schedules have been rigorous. Thus, I plan to defer my entrance into law school for a year while I coach rowing and gain valuable experience through internships and volunteer work."

- GO LIONS -