ADA, Okla. –Jami Watson, a 2025 graduate of East Central University, has been named one of forty-two student-athletes honored with a $10,000 scholarship by the NCAA and their Postgraduate Scholarship program.

The student-athletes, who represent spring sports across all three NCAA divisions, are chosen by the NCAA for demonstrating remarkable academic achievements, athletic excellence and leadership within their communities.

"Throughout my time at ECU, I was presented with many great opportunities, both through athletics and academics,” said Watson. “Whether it was involvement in clubs, sports, committees or even classes, being active on campus meant that I got to learn and grow as a person. These opportunities, along with encouragement and guidance from my advisors, professors and coaches, are what got me where I am today.”

According to the announcement provided by the NCAA, “Each year, the NCAA awards 126 postgraduate scholarships to student-athletes who have completed their final year of athletics competition. The scholarships are distributed three times annually — in the fall, winter and spring — providing 21 scholarships each to men and women per season. The award is a one-time, nonrenewable scholarship aimed at funding graduate study at an accredited institution.”

“Being awarded this scholarship means I can pursue my plans of obtaining a Master's in Ocean Engineering at Texas A&M University,” added Watson. “I could not be more grateful to the NCAA for granting me this opportunity."

A former ECU softball player and summa cum laude graduate of the Physics Department and Mathematics Department, Watson was chosen amongst a competitive field of candidates for the honor.

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