Byrnes, Grelz Earn Big 12’s Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships
8/6/2024 1:30:00 PM | Football, General, Swimming & Diving
Cougar standouts recognized for commitment to excellence in classroom
HOUSTON – University of Houston student-athlete standouts Matt Byrnes and Hedda Grelz have been awarded the 2023-24 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship on behalf of the Big 12 Conference for their commitment to excellence in the classroom.
Byrnes, who enters his fourth season with Houston Football, and Grelz, a Fifth Year with Houston Swimming & Diving, are among just 20 total Big 12 student-athletes to receive the $10,000 postgraduate scholarship. To be considered, student-athletes must possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 and have participated in at least two years of competition at their respective member institutions.
"As Sr. Associate AD of Academics, I am immensely proud for our two exceptional student-athletes, Matt Byrnes and Hedda Grelz, have been awarded the prestigious Big 12 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship," Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services Dr. Cliff Harrell said. "Their dedication to both academics and athletics epitomizes the spirit of this award and serves as an inspiration to us all. They embody the epitome of being a scholar-athlete and they represent the University of Houston well. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor."
Recipients must have graduated and enrolled in graduate or a professional school of their choice within 15 months of selection. Recipients are chosen by the Dr. Prentice Gautt Student-Athlete Experience Committee which consists of three faculty athletics representatives, one athletics director, one senior woman administrator and the chair and vice chair of the SAAC.
Gautt, an original member of the Big 12 Conference staff, was a pioneer in the field of college athletics from his time as the first African American football player at the University of Oklahoma to a successful career in administration.
Gautt was awarded a football scholarship by former OU coach Bud Wilkinson and began his freshman year in 1956. The running back became a two-time All-Big Eight player and the 1959 Orange Bowl MVP. As a senior, he was named to the Academic All-America Team.
Gautt died on March 17, 2005. He was posthumously given the 2005 Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) in May 2005. The Big 12 postgraduate scholarships carry his name in honor of the thousands of student-athletes he assisted in their transition from college to become leaders in society.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of University of Houston Athletics by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining Cougar Pride which provides financial support for student-athlete scholarships and priority needs of the Athletics Department.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougars on X, formerly Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonAthletics or on the team's Instagram page at houstoncougars.
– UHCougars.com –
Byrnes, who enters his fourth season with Houston Football, and Grelz, a Fifth Year with Houston Swimming & Diving, are among just 20 total Big 12 student-athletes to receive the $10,000 postgraduate scholarship. To be considered, student-athletes must possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 and have participated in at least two years of competition at their respective member institutions.
"As Sr. Associate AD of Academics, I am immensely proud for our two exceptional student-athletes, Matt Byrnes and Hedda Grelz, have been awarded the prestigious Big 12 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship," Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services Dr. Cliff Harrell said. "Their dedication to both academics and athletics epitomizes the spirit of this award and serves as an inspiration to us all. They embody the epitome of being a scholar-athlete and they represent the University of Houston well. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor."
Recipients must have graduated and enrolled in graduate or a professional school of their choice within 15 months of selection. Recipients are chosen by the Dr. Prentice Gautt Student-Athlete Experience Committee which consists of three faculty athletics representatives, one athletics director, one senior woman administrator and the chair and vice chair of the SAAC.
Gautt, an original member of the Big 12 Conference staff, was a pioneer in the field of college athletics from his time as the first African American football player at the University of Oklahoma to a successful career in administration.
Gautt was awarded a football scholarship by former OU coach Bud Wilkinson and began his freshman year in 1956. The running back became a two-time All-Big Eight player and the 1959 Orange Bowl MVP. As a senior, he was named to the Academic All-America Team.
Gautt died on March 17, 2005. He was posthumously given the 2005 Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) in May 2005. The Big 12 postgraduate scholarships carry his name in honor of the thousands of student-athletes he assisted in their transition from college to become leaders in society.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of University of Houston Athletics by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining Cougar Pride which provides financial support for student-athlete scholarships and priority needs of the Athletics Department.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougars on X, formerly Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonAthletics or on the team's Instagram page at houstoncougars.
– UHCougars.com –
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