The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Diabate To Receive C-USA Winter Spirit of Service Award
4/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
IRVING, Texas – Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod announced on Thursday that UAB track and field junior sprinter Fanta Diabate is one of 14 student-athletes that will received the C-USA Winter Spirit of Service Award.
The C-USA Spirit of Service Award recognizes the community service efforts of the league’s student-athletes, based upon significant public service, good academic standing and participation in their elected sport.
“Fanta demonstrates the characteristics that make her very deserving of this award,” UAB head coach Kurt Thomas said. “She has been highly active in the community, is a model student-athlete academically and is excelling on the track for our team.”
The Spirit of Service Award will be presented three times throughout the season, with Thursday’s honorees representing Conference USA’s winter sports: men’s and women’s basketball, women’s swimming and diving and men’s and women’s indoor track and field.
Diabate owns a 3.89 GPA in communication studies and has served the Birmingham community during her time at UAB. The Auburn, Ala., product volunteered at the Gwin Elementary National School Lunch Week and as a Ronald McDonald House greeter.
She was also a speaker for the Birmingham College Bound Student-Athlete, a participant in the MLK Day of Service at Red Mountain State Park, a volunteer for Feed My Starving Children Meal Packing and Hands on Birmingham Project Homeless Connect.
Academically, Diabate has been named to the UAB Presidential Honor Roll four times, the UAB Dean’s Honor Roll once and the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll. On the track, Diabate was a second-team all-conference honoree as the second leg of the Blazer distance medley squad at the 2016 C-USA Indoor Track Championship.
“It’s truly an honor to be one of the 14 student-athletes to receive an award of this caliber,” Diabate said. “I think it’s so important for student-athletes to give back and serve the community in addition to what you do on the court, field or track. I look forward to another year of service.”
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