Track star Galen Rupp and soccer standout Nicole Dobrzynski topped the list of students recognized as Pac-10 Scholar-Athletes of the Year. The awards are presented annually to athletes in the Pac-10's twenty-two sponsored sports.

Rupp and Dobrzynski had the highest GPAs among the first round of recipients--3.91 and 3.81, respectively. Both are senior business administration majors at the Lundquist College of Business. Of the six award winners named, the University of Oregon was the only Pac-10 school with two honorees. On Monday, March 2 Rupp was additionally named the NCAA cross country scholar-athlete of the year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

"Being a successful student-athlete requires tremendous discipline, hard work, and time management skills," said Jeanne Coe, interim assistant dean of undergraduate programs at the Lundquist College. "The fact that Nicole and Galen manage to be great students, as well as great athletes, is a testament to the high standards they set for themselves. Here in the Lundquist College of Business, we're delighted they are being honored in this way."

The first round of awards went to student-athletes in cross country, football, soccer, and volleyball. Senior students are nominated by the schools they attend and selected by a committee of Pac-10 staff members at the conclusion of each sport?s regular season. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher and meet minimum participation and residency standards.

For Dobrzynski, meeting the requirement that she show up for 50 percent of her games was not a problem. She broke a school record for starting in more than seventy-seven games during the three-plus seasons she's played for the Ducks.

"It's great to win this award," Dobrzynski said. "I feel like the Lundquist College of Business offers a supportive environment for student-athletes that not only allows us to reach our potential, but gives us the tools necessary to be successful in the business world."

Dobrzynski and Rupp will each receive a commemorative award. Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., the presenting sponsor of the award, will make two $1,000 donations to the UO's athletic scholarship fund in recognition of the achievements.