RICHARDSON, TX (03.08.17) - Two graduating UT Dallas student-athletes, Sam Konstanty and Michelle Toro, became the first Comets in school history to earn the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

The NCAA awards up to 174 postgraduate scholarships annually with the scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are at least in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition. The one-time non-renewable scholarships of $7,500 are awarded three times a year corresponding to each sport season (fall, winter and spring).  Each sports season there are 29 scholarships available for men and 29 scholarships available for women for use in an accredited graduate program. All former student-athletes who earned an undergraduate degree from an NCAA member school are eligible to be nominated by that school for an NCAA graduate degree scholarship, regardless of when they received their undergraduate degree.

A native of Missouri City, Konstanty was named first team CoSIDA Academic All-America for the second straight season after leading the Comets to a second consecutive American Southwest Conference title this past fall. Named ASC Defensive Player of the Year for a second consecutive season, the Elkins High School product ended his playing career as UTD's career record holder with 72 games started. Additionally, Konstanty was named a Scholar All-American by the NSCAA this past fall, becoming just the third Comet to earn the honor. He started all 20 games at outside back for the Comets as a senior and logged two assists. Konstanty was a three-time Academic All-ASC selection during his career and was twice named the ASC's Distinguished Scholar-Athlete for men's soccer.

"As a student-athlete at UTD, I was introduced to people who weren't as fortunate as me," said Konstanty. "Getting involved with SAAC and other campus activities presented me the opportunities to grow and develop my character as a whole. It has helped me live for other people and not just myself."

Sam is graduating this May with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and plans to pursue a master's degree in Computer Science at UTD, starting this fall. He is looking to specialize in team learning in the health care industry for disease diagnosis.

"Sam is a true leader and he uses his voice to positively impact other and promote change," commented Angela Marin, UTD's Assistant Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator. "Throughout his time at UTD, Sam has assisted in and led many community service endeavors and was a role player in the University-produced public service announcement for Comet Voice and the "It's On Us!" campaign.  He has assisted with toy drives for the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, adopted "Angels" from Hope's Door and helped run canned food drives for Minnie's Pantry."

This past fall, Sam, along with his teammates, spent time at the Austin Street Homeless Shelter. Austin Street is the largest homeless shelter in the DFW community, housing over 500 homeless individuals each night.  Sam and his team spent time there cleaning and hand washing over 500 cots, painting the shelter and organizing their clothing area.

"Sam is one of the most selfless young men that I have had the privilege of being around," continued Marin. "He is a Comet through and through, and will represent this University in the best possible way for many years to come."

Toro, a native of Flower Mound, became the first UTD student-athlete to claim first team All-America and first team Academic All-America honors in the same season in 2016. After leading UTD to consecutive ASC championships, Toro was named the ASC East Division Most Valuable Player after leading the Comets to a 32-3 record and their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Regional Finals. Ending her career as a two-time All-American, the Marcus High School product finished her senior season with 3.14 kills and 0.86 blocks per game along with a .333 hitting percentage. She was a five-time ASC East Division Player of the Week in 2016 and closed her career as UTD's all-time leader in blocks and hitting percentage.

"I came into college arrogant on the court and in the classroom and realized as a freshman that I was not the smartest or best at UTD," said Toro. "I decided then that I wanted to be the best and worked hard. As a sophomore, I realized that I could push through anything and overcome obstacles that are in my way."

Michelle is also graduating this May with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and plans to pursue a master's degree in Business Administration at UTD, starting this fall as well.

"Toro is one of the most academically and athletically decorated student athletes in UT Dallas history," said Marin. "She is also a young woman with a generous heart, a strong work ethic and a love for this university."

Michelle and her teammates partnered with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation to 'adopt' a child, Kaitlyn, battling with pediatric cancer prior to the 2015 season. For the past two years, Kaitlyn has been a part of the team and Michelle has been a part of planning birthday parties, visits to the hospital and Christmas celebrations. 

"The experience with Kaityn is unlike any other and has provided a very personal opportunity to view the world through the eyes of a very strong and resilient six-year old," continued Marin. "Not only is Michelle a brilliant individual, but she also possesses kindness, a strong work ethic, and is extremely passionate in everything she does."

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship was created in 1964 to promote and encourage graduate education by rewarding the Association's most accomplished student-athletes through their participation in NCAA championship and/or emerging sports. Athletics and academic achievements, campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities and demonstrated leadership are evaluated.  An equitable approach is employed in reviewing an applicant's nomination form to provide all student-athlete nominees an opportunity to receive the graduate award, regardless of sport, division, gender or race.  In maintaining the highest broad-based standards in the selection process, the program aims to reward those individuals whose dedication and effort are reflective of those characteristics necessary to succeed and thrive through graduate study.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship nomination is submitted by the institutions faculty athletics representative (FAR).  It is the responsibility of the FAR to ensure all sections of the nomination are submitted to the NCAA national office not later than the corresponding sport season deadlines. 

"This scholarship is a unique honor that recognizes students who have demonstrated the highest achievement in academics, athletics and community service," said UTD faculty athletics representative Kurt Beron. "It represents the type of goal towards which UT Dallas hopes that their graduate school-bound student athletes will work. After meeting with Michelle and Sam, I knew that we had winners in sports, academics and service and so it was a no-brainer to nominate them. They are each deserving of this honor."

To be eligible for the scholarship, a student-athlete must be at least in their final season of NCAA athletics eligibility or will not be using any remaining athletics eligibility and have an overall undergraduate minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, including all undergraduate hours earned at all undergraduate institutions attended but not including any graduate-level hours. They must have performed with distinction as a varsity team member in the sport in which they are being nominated and intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree and enroll in a graduate degree program on a part- or full-time basis at an academically accredited graduate or degree-granting professional school. In addition, the student-athlete must be an outstanding citizen and excellent role model for the institution and intercollegiate athletics as a whole.

When asked what advice he would give an incoming freshman who wanted to earn this scholarship when they have finished their playing career, Sam responded, "Find something your are passionate about and work hard. That is where you get where you want to go."