Sam Bradford, the starting quarterback for the University of Oklahoma football team, was selected as the 74th winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy as the Most Outstanding College Football Player in the United States for 2008. During the past season Bradford completed 302 of his 442 passes, for 4,464 yards and 48 touchdowns while throwing only six interceptions. He also has rushed for five touchdowns. While leading the highest scoring offense in the history of Division I College Football, Bradford broke the Oklahoma season and career touchdown records both previously held by 2003 Heisman winner Jason White. His 84 career touchdowns are the most ever for a player at the end of his sophomore season. Off the football field, Bradford works with Special Spectators’ visits, a national organization that brings children with life-threatening health issues to campus for a day with the football team. More than just an allstar athlete, Bradford, a finance major, boasts a 3.6 grade point average.
Jamaal Parker has a 3.3 grade point average — not bad for a senior who is also the fifth all-time triple jumper in University of Georgia history. Parker, a statistics major, was a bronze medalist at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships in triple jump in 2008 and a three-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American at King College. He is a member of Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society and made the SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll in 2008. Parker won the triple jump at the Tyson Invitational, finished second in triple jump at Virginia Tech Elite meet and finished first at Carle/Health Classic meet in 2009. He also worked to raise money by doing yard work for the elderly in 2005. Parker helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity in 2005 and serves as a volunteer tutor for statistics classes.
Masumi Turnbull, a graduating senior, had an outstanding fouryear career at the University of Kentucky, helping lead the soccer program to a 12- win, five-loss season in 2008 and an appearance in the Conference USA Championship game. Turnbull, a thirdteam All-Conference USA selection, finished the year with three assists and one goal in 19 games, firing 12 shots and logging 1,419 minutes. In 2007, Turnball led the team in assists for the second consecutive year, totaling seven assists and one goal. In 2008, Turnball was inducted into the Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society. A kinesiology exercise science major with a 3.8 grade point average, Turnbull made the All Conference USA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll 2006-2009. He also received the 2008 Academic Excellence Scholarship from the university.
Brian Robiskie, a graduating senior at The Ohio State University, was his football team’s leading returning receiver for a second straight season in 2008. His outstanding speed and quickness allowed him to shake defenders and post 55 receptions for 935 yards, with 11 scores his junior year. In 2008, Robiskie served as team captain. He received First Team Academic All-American honors in 2007 and 2008, and was named a 2008 National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete winner. Robiskie is an eight-time Ohio State University Student-Athlete Advisory Board representative who has participated in the Athletes Helping Athletes Kidney Cancer Fundraiser. This fall, Robiskie a native of Ohio, will suit up for the Cleveland Browns. Robiskie credits his dad, Terry Robiskie, a receivers coach for the Atlanta Falcons, for his success. Terry Robiskie was also a coach for the Browns between 2001 and 2006.
Past Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Sports Scholars of the Year* 2008: Marcus Dixon, Hampton University, Football 2007: Isaac Matthews, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Track & Field 2006: David Castillo, Florida State University, Football 2005: Chris Hill, Michigan State University, Basketball 2003: Nathan Irvin, University of California, Riverside, Track & Field 2002: Ben Foster, Wofford College, Football 2001: Archie Craft, Langston University, Football 2000: James Greer, Howard University, Football 1999: Kareem Abdul Jabbar Jr., Western Kentucky University, Basketball 1998: Patrick Stephen, Northern Illinois University, Football 1997: Kelvin Saulsbury, Rust College, Basketball 1996: Jacque Vaughn, University of Kansas, Basketball 1995: David Simmons, Coe College, Wrestling *Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Award was not presented in 2004
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