CLEVELAND – The Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) has selected the association's 21st annual Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

Kama Kamaka, linebacker from the University of San Diego, and Dejoun Lee, running back from the University of Delaware, were selected out of a field of nine finalists and 50 FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team honorees to receive a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship.

"Once again, we faced a difficult decision to select the two recipients of the FCS ADA Postgraduate Scholarship," said FCS ADA President Nicki Moore, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Colgate University. "These two young men represent the very best in FCS football, excelling in the classroom, on the field, in their lives, and by contributing to important initiatives in their communities. Our committee was truly pleased with the opportunity to contribute to their continuing education and success beyond football in their postgraduate education and careers. On behalf of the FCS ADA, congratulations to Kama and Dejoun and also to their coaches, teammates, faculty, administrators, and families." 

A native of Kailua, Hawaii, Kamaka recently graduated with a degree in accountancy and real estate at the University of San Diego, where he carried a 3.60 GPA. After graduating, Kamaka landed a job with Ernst & Young and is now hard at work in his professional career. He is a three-time All-PFL selection, four-time All-Pioneer Football League selection, and a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree. Kamaka has played in every game of his University of San Diego career, and in October 2020, he was named a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy, college football's premier scholar-athlete award. Kamaka finished this season with 49 total tackles in 11 games en route to his second-straight FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team selection.
 
"Receiving the nationally recognized and prestigious postgraduate scholarship award is very meaningful to me, my family, and my school. It is a surreal ending to my career, and it is truly an honor to be recognized by the committee for all the hard work I have put in on the field, in the classroom, and in the community," said Kamaka. "I would like to thank my mom, dad, and brother for everything they do for me. I would also like to thank all my coaches and mentors, especially my trainer and coach back home, Randy Morris. I would not be where I am without their guidance. My postgraduate plans are currently working for Ernst & Young, obtaining my CPA license, and hopefully in the near future attending a school to obtain my Master of Business Administration."

Lee, a Springfield, Virginia native, earned his master's degree in international business from the University of Delaware in December 2021. He rushed for 74 yards per game this season, finishing his career ranked eighth in University of Delaware history for both rushing yards (2,447) and all-purpose yards (4,201). For the 2020-21 year, Lee was named an AP Second Team All-American, a Stats Perform All-American, a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, and the CAA Offensive Player of the Year in addition to being named a Walter Payton Award Finalist. In 2021, Lee also earned the Edgar Johnson Award, which annually recognizes a premier male student-athlete at the University of Delaware. 
 
"To even be on a list of this nature is an absolute honor in itself. There were plenty of deserving candidates, and I just want to take the time to applaud the excellent work of my fellow student-athletes. With that being said, it is with the utmost pride that I accept this prestigious award," said Lee. "I want to thank my family, friends, and coaches for being in my corner through thick and thin. You have instilled within me a level of grit I couldn't have achieved on my own, and I will forever be grateful. Where life goes from here, I am unsure, but I know it will start with the pursuit of my lifelong dream of playing in the NFL. After the conclusion of my career, I plan to work in some area of sports. I'm a competitor through and through, and that fire will never die out; and in my opinion, sports are the best way to consistently experience the competitive culture I crave."

CLICK HERE for more information about the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team and its nominating criteria.

A special Review Committee of FCS athletics directors were responsible for selecting the 2021-22 Academic All-Star Team and FCS ADA Postgraduate Scholarship finalists and recipients. This year's Review Committee consisted of: Nicki Moore, Colgate University (Chair); Tom Michael, Eastern Illinois University; Milton Overton, Kennesaw State University; and Ashley Robinson, Jackson State University.

About the FCS ADA: Now in its 28th year, the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance Football Championship Subdivision football. For more information on the FCS ADA, please visit www.fcsada.com. The FCS ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 57th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.