UK to Observe National Student-Athlete Day April 8

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 5, 2013) — Hundreds of events around the nation in the coming days and weeks will mark the 26th annual National Student-Athlete Day, including activities sponsored by the University of Kentucky. Governor Steve Beshear also issued a proclamation recognizing April 6, 2013 as National Student-Athlete Day in the state of Kentucky. Since the anniversary of the actual day falls on a Saturday this year, UK will launch a series of events starting on Monday, April 8, to mark the occasion.

A student-athlete appreciation table will be set up at the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS) on Monday. UK student-athletes will be involved with several community service events at local schools during the month of April. And, a public service announcement featuring UK women’s basketball student-athlete Kastine Evans will air on WKYT-TV during the entire month of April.

National Student-Athlete Day honors student-athletes and the network of parents, coaches, teachers and school systems that make it possible for young people to strike a balance between academic and athletic achievement and who use sport as a vehicle for positive social change. The day, established by the National Consortium for Academics & Sports, is co-sponsored by the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Northeastern University's Center for Sport in Society.

President Obama has saluted those involved in National Student-Athlete Day activities. In an open letter acknowledging the day, he wrote, "A healthy balance between sports and academics is essential to ensuring that our students are prepared for the challenges of the future."

Bob Bradley, associate athletics director for student services at UK, said, "This is a wonderful and important tradition. It gives us a chance to show our appreciation and celebrate our student-athletes who work hard academically, athletically, and personally. It also gives us the opportunity to thank all of the people involved that make it possible for these students to balance academic and athletic pursuits, while also growing as contributors to their community and the larger society."

More information about National Student-Athlete Day is available at http://ncasports.org/programs/national-student-athlete-day/.