University Of Miami's Academic All-Star

Mark Walker, a senior from Miami, is a four-year letterman on the varsitybaseball team where he plays in the outfield. Off the field, Walker, whowill receive a business degree in Finance at the end of this semester, isalso a standout student in the classroom.

This past year, Walker was a key member of the University’s Tucker AnthonyBIG EAST Stock Challenge team. He assisted a five-memberstudent-athlete-based group to a third-place showing nationally in thechallenge. His team finished with a portfolio that advanced 40.48percent, finishing third, yet still besting the S & P 500’s gains over theperiod. In recognition of their achievement, the team members werepresented with a check for $10,000 for the school’s athletic fund.

Black Issues in Higher Education magazine also recognized Walker as anArthur Ashe Jr. Scholar-Athlete award winner for the 1998-99 school year.Black Issues has been awarding the Sports Scholar of the Year award sinceDecember 1992. In 1994, the award was named after Arthur Ashe Jr. Theaward is given to collegiate student-athletes of color who excel in theirrespective sport, are active in community relations and maintain a 3.2 orbetter GPA.

In 1999, Walker was a member of UM’s National Championship team, starting51 of the 54 games he appeared in.