ROCK HILL, SC-- Winthrop men's tennis player Steven Patrick has been awarded one of the two Bob McCloskey Insurance Big South Conference Graduate Fellowships that recognizes academic excellence and intend to pursue postgraduate studies following graduation.
 
The other recipient is Longwood women's soccer player Olivia Colella (Herndon, VA). Patrick (Knoxville, TN) and Colella will receive their awards of $2,000 each to use for their respective graduate studies on Thursday evening, June 2, as part of the conference's annual Spring Awards Dinner and Hall of Fame Banquet in the Marriott Resort in Hilton Head, SC.
 
Bob McCloskey Insurance, a Big South Corporate Partner, established the award during the Fall of 2005. "Bob McCloskey Insurance is once again honored to be able to continue our tradition as a proud Corporate Partner of the Big South by bestowing these scholarships to these fine student-athletes who clearly are outstanding ambassadors for the Big South," said Rob McCloskey.  "We wish them both much success in the future."
 
"I want to congratulate Ms. Colella and Mr. Patrick for their outstanding undergraduate careers and selection for this prestigious honor," added Big South Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander.  "The entire Big South family is proud of their accomplishments and we wish them the best in their graduate studies.  We also are gratified by the continued support of McCloskey Insurance for this worthy award."
 
Patrick completed his fourth season as a member of the Eagles' tennis team.  He won five singles matches, all at the No. 4 flight, and posted a 12-11 record with Tremayne Mitchell at No. 1 doubles to earn Second-Team All-Conference honors.  For his career, Patrick won 23 singles matches and went 49-37 in doubles action.  Patrick was part of the Eagles' Big South Championship squad in 2014 and 2015, and finished his junior year with nine singles victories (six at No. 3), in addition to a 17-4 doubles mark with Mitchell.  As a sophomore, Patrick won seven singles matches (all at No. 2), and went 8-6 with Mitchell in doubles play.  Patrick saw limited time his freshman season of 2013, but won two singles matches and picked up seven doubles victories with five different playing partners.  He graduated with a 3.960 GPA in Biology and plans to become a medical doctor.  He plans to apply to UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Riverside and USC for medical school.
 
A three-time Big South Presidential Honor Roll member and three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete, Patrick has made Winthrop's President's List (4.0 GPA) four times, as well as the Dean's List.  He served as a co-captain since his first year, and was Co-President of Winthrop's SAAC this past spring.  Patrick has also received the Joynes scholarship, Nancy Ann Garrison scholarship (2013-14) and Martha Holler Hobbs scholarship (2014-15).  He has been a member of Winthrop's Honors Association all four years, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars since spring of 2013 and the Phi Kappa Phi honors society since spring 2015.  Patrick has spent time in the community with the local Boys & Girls Club, the Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte and assisting with various youth tennis clinics.
 
 
Colella played four years as a forward/midfielder for the Lancers and served as team captain her senior season.  She appeared in 78 career games with 65 starts, and accumulated 33 points on 12 goals and nine assists in 4,885 minutes on the pitch.  Colella earned First-Team All-Conference honors and was an All-Tournament Team selection in her final season in which she scored three goals and eight points. 
 
Nominations for the Graduate Fellowship are made by the Faculty Athletics Representative or the Chief Academic Officer at a Big South member institution, and are limited to one male and one female at each school.  To qualify for the Big South Conference Graduate Fellowship, applicants must have the following requirements:
 

• Have an overall undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 3.500 or better based on a maximum 4.000, or the equivalent in other recognized grading systems;
• Have competed in intercollegiate athletics as a member of a varsity team at a Big South Conference member institution;
• Must be either a graduating senior during the academic year of the award, or be enrolled in a graduate program at a Big South Conference institution while completing the last year of eligibility;
• Intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree and enroll into a graduate degree program at a properly accredited, non-profit educational institution or into a post-baccalaureate professional degree program at a professionally accredited law school, medical school or the equivalent, without restriction as to the national site of the institution;
• Have evidenced superior character and superior leadership;
• Have demonstrated that participation in athletics and community service has been a positive influence on the nominee's personal and intellectual development.  Relative success in athletics is important but not of overriding significance;
• Enroll in a graduate degree program the term subsequent to being awarded the fellowship or present a rationale for deferred matriculation.