CLEVELAND - The Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) is pleased to announce Elizabeth Reyes, assistant director of academics for football and women's tennis at University of Arkansas Office of Student-Athlete Success (OSAS) as the 2018 Rudy Keeling Scholarship recipient. Reyes will receive a $2,500 postgraduate scholarship toward an advanced degree with the intention of furthering administrative pursuits within the intercollegiate athletics industry. For the third year in a row, the scholarship will be presented with financial assistance of sponsor, Bob McCloskey Insurance.

As the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Commissioner, Rudy Keeling was the first African-American ever to head a major sports conference, a position he held from 2007 until his retirement in January 2013. He was also a former member of the MOAA Board of Directors. Candidates for the scholarship were reviewed by the MOAA leadership and members of the Keeling Family.

"Rudy Keeling was a trailblazer for both current and aspiring intercollegiate athletics administrators. This year, we are fortunate to recognize Elizabeth Reyes with the Postgraduate Scholarship in honor of Rudy's legacy. Congratulations to Elizabeth," said MOAA President Peggy Davis, director of athletics at Virginia State University.

Reyes' OSAS responsibilities include coordinating efforts in the Professional Development and Staff Retreat Committees. Additionally, she leads the Football Gameday Professor Program and is the Hogs in Transition Co-Chair.

Prior to joining OSAS, Reyes worked as an academic counselor for men's and women's track at Baylor University (BU) for three years. At BU, she also volunteered in all facets of the Student-Athlete Development Program. Reyes arrived at BU in 2012, after completing her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Washington (UW). While at UW, she worked in Student-Athlete Academic Services for five years and was the tutoring office lead, campus & community outreach assistant, student-athlete development intern, and an interim academic advisor.

Reyes is an active member with Women Leaders in College Sports (WLCS) and the National Association of Academic & Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A). She is a two-time WLCS scholarship recipient and was selected to be a member of the 2017 Local Organizing Committee. Inclusively, she is a WLCS mentor and a member of the 2018 Membership and Awards Committees. With N4A, Reyes contributes to the Student-Athlete Development Newsletter and Mental Health subcommittees and has been the Community Service Subcommittee Chair for the last four years.

Reyes is originally from Richland, Washington and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Sports Management. She is expected to earn this degree in fall 2020.

About the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association: Administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association promotes equitable employment opportunities for minorities in the athletics industry through the exchange of ideas, the creation of networking opportunities and the avocation of an increase in employment for minorities in athletics administration positions at all levels of the sports industry. The association also promotes cultivating a sports environment that supports the values necessary to accept aspiring professionals from all walks of life. For more information on the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, please visit www.moaaweb.com.