University of North Carolina Athletics
Natalie Halbach Named Finalist For Postgraduate Scholarship
April 14, 2003 | Women's Gymnastics
April 14, 2003
Natalie Halbach, a senior gymnast from Plymouth, Minn., was selected as one of six finalists for the NCAA Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship, which will be awarded later this month. No North Carolina student-athlete has ever been awarded this honor, which is considered the NCAA's most prestigious scholarship.
The NCAA Walter Byers Scholarship Committee will select two recipients from three male and three female finalists. The other finalists are from the University of California at Davis, Tulane University, the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, Johns Hopkins University and the University of North Dakota. Halbach is one of two gymnasts to be selected.
The Walter Byers Scholarships, established in 1988 to recognize the contributions of former NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers, encourages academic excellence in student-athletes. Each Byers scholar receives a $12,500 scholarship from the NCAA.
Award recipients must have a 3.500 grade-point average (4.000 scale), show evidence of superior character and leadership and demonstrate that participation in athletics has been a positive influence on personal and intellectual development.
Halbach has received several academic awards, including the North Carolina Director of Athletics scholar-athlete award, the Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarship and an induction to Phi Beta Kappa this year.
She is a four-time selection to the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) All-Academic Team and has been consistently named to the National Association of College Gymnastics Coaches (NACGC) Scholastic All-America Gymnastics Team.
Halbach, a two-time All-EAGL balance beam selection, is working toward a major in international studies and French with a grade point average of 3.95.
Players Mentioned
