CLEVELAND, Ohio – Earlier this year, Alabama State running back Ezra Gray was named to the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team, and on Thursday was selected as the association’s 19th annual Scholar-Athlete of the Year alongside Houston Baptist linebacker Andre Walker.
Gray, a Computer Information Systems major carries a 4.0-grade point average added to his list of academic accolades this year, which includes being named a CoSIDA Academic All-America. He also received the Academic Excellence Award, Coca-Scholar Athlete at the Magic City Classic and the President’s Award. The Lynn Haven (Fla.) native was named a second-team all-conference performer as a kick return specialist this season by the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) but rushed for nearly 600 yards and went over the 1,000-yard mark for his career in the Magic City Classic in October.
The duo was selected out of a field of 10 finalists and 53 Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association (FCS ADA) honorees to receive a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship.
“Receiving this FCS ADA postgraduate scholarship has been a very motivating experience for me,” stated Gray. “It is very encouraging to see the countless hours of hard work I’ve invested on and off the field, pay dividends. I’d like to thank God; through him all things are possible. I also want to take this time to thank everyone who has helped me along this journey. I hope that anyone who hears my story is inspired to achieve their goals and aspirations. Thank you, FCS ADA.”
Gray and Walker will be formally recognized during the FCS ADA’S annual awards luncheon, held in conjunction with the NACDA Convention, June 7-10, at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Courtesy: ASU Athletics
