FLORENCE, S.C. – Three Francis Marion University student-athletes were recently awarded NCAA Division II Degree-Completion Scholarship Awards for the 2007-08 academic year: cross country runner Megan Coy, softball player Jessica Johnson, and volleyball player Jessica Strader.

The three are among 89 recipients nationwide. These student-athletes are just short of completing their degrees but whose athletics eligibility has expired. Applicants must be within 30 semester hours of completing their undergraduate degree, and have a 2.50 cumulative grade-point average.

Coy, a native of Avon Lake, Ohio, is majoring in English (professional writing). Johnson is from Palm City, Fla., and is majoring in elementary education. Strader, a native of Kettering, Ohio, is also an elementary education major.

“We feel fortunate that three of our student-athletes are able to benefit from this program,” said FMU director of athletics Murray Hartzler. “The fact that we have earned awards each of the past two years speaks to the quality of our student-athletes and the effort they put forth toward earning their undergraduate degrees.”

Only five other student-athletes from the Peach Belt Conference received this award for 2007.