MARYVILLE, Mo. -- ( complete team ) Northwest Missouri State football senior Morris White (St. Louis, Mo.) was honored as a 2005 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar recipient. A psychology major, White was named to the Third Team. There are eight different sports in which male athletes are recognized.

White had a break-out senior season as a wide receiver for the Bearcats. He led the team with a 16.9 yard average per catch and tied for second with five TD receptions. Overall, he had 25 catches for 422 yards. Going into 2004, he had totaled 212 receiving yards in his first three seasons.

The two-time Honorable Mention All-MIAA selection excelled in the kick return game as well. He was first on the team with 16 kickoff returns for a 22.9 yard average. White, who was a 2004 MIAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll for football, also took back four punt including a 36-yarder for a touchdown versus Minnesota State-Moorhead (Aug. 28).

Black Issues In Higher Education (BIHE) established the Sports Scholars Awards to honor undergraduate students of color who have made achieving both academically and athletically a winning combination. Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.'s commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis, BIHE seeks out student-athletes not only with athletic ability, but those who exhibit academic excellence and community activism.

In order to be eligible, the student-athlete has to compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2, and be active on their campuses or in their communities.