Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The NCAA announced on Tuesday that The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley junior track & field athlete Elizabeth Ortiz is a recipients of the 2021 Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) Student-Athlete Career Development Award. She was recognized at the AASP virtual conference this week.
The AASP was created in 2012 by the NCAA Executive Committee, which is now the Board of Governors. The AASP Student-Athlete Career Development Award honors two individuals each year who plan to pursue a career in athletics. Award requirements include attending an AASP eligible school; being a sophomore or higher; having a cumulative grade-point average of 2.8 or higher; being eligible for athletics competition; and being able to attend the AASP annual conference. Ortiz was one of two student-athletes selected for the award by the AASP Selection Committee, along with Sacramento State track & field student-athlete Isaiah Marable.
The AASP provides academic and financial support to Division I schools with limited resources that are working to meet the NCAA’s academic standards. Eligible schools receive financial grants to help develop initiatives and systems designed to increase graduation rates and ensure academic success for student-athletes. The NCAA has awarded over $18.8 million to its colleges and universities for academic enhancements since the program began.
“I am honored to receive this award, and it feels great to be given the opportunity to expand my knowledge to help me grow toward a career in sports,” Ortiz said. “Sports have always meant so much to me growing up and having the opportunity in the future to make an impact on student-athletes the way my academic advisors, athletic trainers and administrators have made on me is something I look forward to. Participating in the NCAA Career in Sport Forum and the AASP Conference has allowed me to expand my network and build my resume to lead me toward a bright career within collegiate athletics.”
Ortiz is an exercise science major with a minor in marketing, and she plans to complete her undergraduate studies next spring. She has been a member of the UTRGV Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and is the incoming president for the 2021-22 academic year. As SAAC president, she plans to work closely with athletics officials. Additionally, she has also been a member of the Western Athletic Conference SAAC. Ortiz has been a mentor to incoming freshmen at her university and been instrumental in the creation of an athletics SAAC branding video. She plans to pursue a master’s degree at UTRGV and wants to work in Division I athletics in the future.
“I’m so proud of Elizabeth for earning this award,” UTRGV Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator Molly Castner said. “Elizabeth has consistently displayed a drive to help her fellow student-athletes and our entire department. I’m excited because I get to watch her develop firsthand and I know that Elizabeth will be an incredible advocate for student-athletes when she becomes an administrator.”
 Student-Athlete Career Development Award. She was recognized at the AASP virtual conference this week.){kind=link}