May 8, 2018
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State baseball seniors Chase Calabuig and Jorge Fernandez received the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award, which is presented to student-athletes of color who exhibit academic excellence and community activism.
To be eligible for this honor, candidates must compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20, and be active on their campuses or in their communities
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Calabuig has been an instrumental part of the San Diego State lineup, hitting .347 with five home runs, four triples, 20 doubles and driving in 40 runs. Calabuig has started all 48 games this year and has reached base in 45 games this season. Among the Mountain West, Calabuig ranks 10th in batting average, eighth in hits (68) and slugging percentage (.566) and leads the MW with four triples. Calabuig's 20 doubles is the 11th highest total in the nation.
Calabuig, a two-time Mountain West All-Academic selection, sports a 3.65 grade point average as a kinesiology major.
Fernandez, in his second year with the Aztecs after transferring from San Jacinto College in Texas, has made a seamless transition from closer to weekend starter for the Aztecs. Fernandez is tied for the team lead with six wins and recorded six saves while serving in the closer's role to start 2018. Since joining the starting rotation, Fernandez owns a 2.14 ERA and 3-0 record.
Fernandez earned Mountain West All-Academic team honors in his first year on the Mesa in 2017. Fernandez owns a 3.23 grade point average as a social science major.
The publication Diverse: Issues In Higher Education sponsors the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards to honor undergraduate students who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic field. Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Jr.'s commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis, U.S. colleges and universities are invited to participate in this annual awards program by nominating their outstanding sports scholars. In addition to their athletic ability and academic performance, Arthur AsheJr. Sports Scholars demonstrate a commitment to community service and student leadership.