CLEVELAND - The Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) is pleased to announce the 2018-19 recipients of its Founders' Grant. This year, MOAA is providing two grants to one male and one female MOAA member. The recipients of this year's grants are Ryan Stanberry, assistant director of compliance at the University of Washington (UW) and Amber Thomas, assistant sports information director at Hiram College.
 
The Founders' Grant was introduced to assist MOAA members with their attendance for professional development opportunities, including but not limited to the NACDA & Affiliates Convention Week. In an effort to support the development of its members in accordance with the mission and objectives of the Association, MOAA is providing grants to deserving individuals, in the amount of $1,000 each. 
 
Stanberry is in his second year at UW and is responsible for all aspects of student-athlete financial aid and recruiting as it pertains to NCAA compliance. He also oversees student-athlete accounts, while also acting as primary liaison on behalf of athletics with campus Housing as well as the Financial Aid offices. Stanberry is a member of the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC), the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), the Financial Aid Advisory Committee, and in addition, was selected as a member of the prestigious NAAC A.C.E. mentoring program (2017). Prior to joining the UW athletics staff, Stanberry was a member of Georgetown University's athletics staff. Stanberry earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, and his JD from Washington and Lee University School of Law.

Thomas is currently in her second year as a member of the Hiram Sports Information Office where she works under Jerrod Plate. Amber is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and served as the NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Women's Intern for the Terriers during the 2017-18 school year. In 2018-19, Thomas returned as the assistant director of sports information and program assistant for the Diversity and Inclusion Office. While at Hiram, Thomas will pursue her master's degree in interdisciplinary studies. Thomas spent three years at Capital University where she received a bachelor of arts degree in public relations and worked in the sports information office. During her time at Capital, Thomas was a member of the track and field team and served as the marketing and communications intern and contact for cross country and track and field (2015-2017).

The 2019 MOAA Symposium is scheduled for June 9 at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida.

About MOAA: MOAA promotes equitable employment opportunities for minorities in the athletics industry through the exchange of ideas, the creation of networking opportunities and the advocation 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 MOAA, please visit www.moaaweb.com. MOAA is partnered with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 54th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.