FAIRFAX, VA -- University of Delaware student-athletes Kaili Kao (top right), Chris Dixon (middle right), and Jason Hanschmann (bottom right) have been honored as Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars as selected by Diverse Issues in Higher Education Magazine.

The three were among 368 student-athletes from all three NCAA divisions honored as part of the annual program which recognizes undergraduate students of color who have made achieving both academically and athletically a winning combination. To be eligible, student-athletes must be an intercollegiate athlete, maintain a cumulative grade point index of 3.2 or better, and be active on their campuses and in their communities. The awards were inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.’s commitment to education and athletics.

Kao, a junior field hockey standout from State College, PA (State College High School), was one of just six field hockey players named to the team and was selected for the second straight year. A three-year letterwinner, she started nine games this past fall and recorded three goals from her defensive position. During the 2004 season, she played in key role in leading the Blue Hens to the Colonial Athletic Association championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. She has started 42 of her 50 career games for head coach Carol Miller’s squad.

A three-time member of the CAA Academic Honor roll, she is a Dean’s List student, a College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-American nominee, and has twice been named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association national academic squad. In addition, she is enrolled in Delaware’s Honors Program and is a member of Golden Key National Honor Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. She is an international relations major with minors in French, business, and religious studies and carries a 3.81 grade point average.

Hanschmann, a sophomore tennis standout from Palatine, IL (Palatine High School), was honored for the first time and was among 27 men’s tennis players honored on the team. A two-year letterwinner, he led the 2005-06 team to an 8-8 dual match record and a berth in the CAA quarterfinals. He posted a record of 7-7 in singles and 12-8 in doubles. In two seasons, he has posted a singles record of 25-14 and a doubles mark of 29-13, including 18 singles wins as a freshman in 2004-05 that established a new school freshman record.

A philosophy major with a 3.35 grade point average, Hanschmann is a Dean’s List student, a CoSIDA Academic All-American nominee, and a member of the CAA Academic Honor roll. He serves as a youth tennis instructor during the summer.

Dixon, a junior track and field hurdler from Manheim, PA (Hempfield High School), was named to the team for the second straight year and was one of 50 men’s track and field athletes honored. A standout hurdler, Dixon captured the CAA outdoor 400 meter hurdles title in April and competed at the NCAA Regionals in May, finishing 30th in the event. He has collected eight career top five finishes at the CAA championships in the hurdles, sprints, and relay events and ranks No. 3 all-time at Delaware in both the indoor 60 meter hurdles (8.72) and outdoor 400 meter hurdles (52.73).

A Dean’s List student and CoSIDA Academic All-American candidate, Dixon has been named to the CAA Academic Honor Roll four times during his career and has earned the UD Certificate of Distinction. He is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and has volunteered in his community with the Landisville (PA) Church of God, Landisville Elementary School, and the Crispus Attucks Homeless Shelter. He carries a 3.27 grade point average as a computer engineering major.

University of Florida women’s basketball standout Sarah Lowe and Florida State University football standout David Castillo were selected by the magazine as 2006 Sports Scholars of the Year.

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