Feb. 11, 2004

GREENSBORO, N.C. - William Hesmer (men's soccer), Wiggy Saunders (men's soccer) and Katherine Winstead (women's soccer)have been named recipients of the 2004 Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarships, as announced by Commissioner John Swofford. The scholarships are given to selected student-athletes who intend to pursue a graduate-level degree following graduation. Each recipient will receive $5,000 to use towards his or her graduate education. Student-athletes receiving the award have performed with distinction both in the classroom and in their respective sports, while demonstrating exemplary conduct in the community.

In addition to those receiving scholarship funds, three student-athletes will receive Weaver-James-Corrigan Honorary Awards. These students will be recognized for their outstanding performance both in athletic competition and in the classroom throughout their collegiate careers and intend to compete in their respective sports at the Olympic or professional level.

The award is named in honor of the late Jim Weaver and Bob James as well as Gene Corrigan, past ACC commissioners. The league's first commissioner, James H. Weaver, served the conference from 1954 to 1970 after a stint as the Director of Athletics at Wake Forest University. His early leadership and uncompromising integrity are largely responsible for the excellent reputation enjoyed by the ACC today.

Robert C. James, a former University of Maryland football player, was named commissioner in 1971 and served for 16 years. During his tenure, the league continued to grow in stature and became recognized as a national leader in athletics and academics, winning 23 national championships and maintaining standards of excellence in the classroom.

Eugene F. Corrigan assumed his role as the third full-time commissioner on September 1, 1987 and served until August of 1997. During Corrigan's tenure, ACC schools captured 30 NCAA national championships and two national football titles.

Prior to 1994, the Weaver-James postgraduate scholarships were given as separate honors. The Jim Weaver award, originated in 1970, recognized exceptional achievement on the playing field and in the classroom, while the Bob James award, beginning in 1987, also honored outstanding student-athletes.

William Russell Hesmer, Wake Forest University, Soccer
Two-time first-team All-American and three-time All-ACC selection ... Third-team Verizon Academic All-American ... Wake Forest's all-time leader in goals against average and shutouts ... Three-time All-ACC honoree, including two first-team selections ... Drafted in the second round of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by Kansas City.

Weston Wyatt Saunders, Wake Forest University, Soccer
Three-year starter at defender ... Played in three NCAA Tournaments ... Verizon Academic All-District III honoree ... helped the team to an undefeated regular season in 2002 ... Started on a defense that ranked second in the nation in 2002 ... Was a critical piece of Wake Forest's most successful three-year period in program history.

Katherine Barden Winstead, Wake Forest University, Soccer
Made 82 appearances in a Wake Forest uniform ... Led the team with nine goals in 2002 ... Tallied 13 goals and 12 assists in her career, both rank in the top ten in Wake Forest history ... Named All-ACC in 2002 ... Selected to Soccer Buzz's All-Southeast second team in 2002 and third team in 2003 ... Earned a spot on the ACC All-Freshmen team in 2000.