Emory University’s Aman Manji and Khadijah Sayyid have been recognized as 2016 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars. The honor recognizes undergraduate students who have excelled in the classroom as well as the athletic venue.  In addition to their athletic ability and academic performance, Arthur Ashe Jr Sports Scholars demonstrate a commitment to community service and student leadership.

Manji, who wrapped up his junior year, has been a mainstay in the singles lineup for the No. 1-ranked men’s tennis team that is heading to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Championships.  Manji has amassed an impressive won-lost ledger of 20-5, 17-5 during the spring portion of the schedule.  He was named as a First Team All-University Athletic Association honoree after going 3-0 at No. 3 singles in helping the Eagles to a league title.  A biology major, Manji claims a grade-point average of 3.46.

A four-year member of the women’s basketball program, Sayyid saw action in a total of 102 games during her career and ranked third on the school’s all-time list with 223 steals.  In addition, she was 16^th on the Eagles’ all-time chart in scoring (833 pts), ninth in three-point field goals and 14^th in assists.  She captured First Team All-UAA acclaim as a junior and was chosen as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.  Her final year saw her earn honorable-mention status on the all-league team. She recently graduated with a degree in psychology and a GPA of 3.59.

Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.’s devotion to education as well as his love for the game of tennis, U.S. colleges and universities are encouraged to participate in the annual awards program by nominating their outstanding sports scholars.  The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar is sponsored by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education.