Paris Recognized as 2017 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sport Scholar

Black Hills State University football student-athlete Phydell Paris has been recognized as a 2017 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar, as published by the Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine.

Black Hills State University football student-athlete Phydell Paris has been recognized as a 2017 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar, as published by the Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine.

Paris, a rising senior from Thornton, Colorado, owns a 3.38 GPA while majoring in psychology. He owns every major rushing record at Black Hills State including career rushing yards, most yards gained in a season and most yards gained in a game.

The First Team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selection and Don Hansen All-Region team performer gained 1,314 yards with 13 touchdowns as a redshirt-junior in 2016. He broke the BHSU single-game rushing record with 244 yards against New Mexico Highlands and enters his senior campaign with a school record 3,057 yards on the ground.

Paris has been named to the BHSU Dean's List multiple semesters of his athletic career. He says BHSU has an "ideal learning environment" with professors who have experience in the field and a passion for teaching students.

"My favorite teacher at BHSU is Dr. Hess, head of the psychology department. He has a great sense of humor and I have really developed as a college student and person under his guidance," says Paris.

Off the playing field, Paris volunteers with the BHSU Student Support Services, Spearfish Zonta Club and Special Olympics. He has also given several keynote addresses including the Spearfish School District 5th Grade DARE Graduation.

Paris was listed on the Third Team Football as part of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars, part of over 1,200 scholars nominated for the honor. As a scholar and an athlete, Ashe sought to expand opportunities for young people. Each year, Diverse: Issues in High Education invites every postsecondary institution in the country to participate in this awards program. In addition to athletic ability, students named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 and be active on their campuses or in their community.

Past Ashe scholars include: Baylor University's Robert Griffin III (2011) the University of Tennessee's Kara Lawson (2003), San Diego State University's Marshall Faulk (1993).