June 15, 2012

STANFORD, Calif.-- Chris Derrick has been honored as the Pac-12 Men's Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year, presented by Toyo Tires, league officials announced on Friday.

In order to be eligible for the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, student-athletes must be a senior (in athletics eligibility) on track to receive a degree, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, participate in at least 50 percent of the scheduled contests in the sport and have a minimum of one year in residence at the institution. The athletic accomplishments of the nominees are also factored into the voting for the award.

Scholar-Athletes of the Year in each sport will receive a commemorative award. Toyo Tires will donate $1,000 to the scholarship funds of the institution's athletic department of each winner in recognition of their accomplishments.

Derrick was the Pac-12 Champion at 5,000 meters and placed third at the NCAA meet in the 10,000 meters. He was named the Pac-12 Track Athlete of the Year earlier this week.

For his career, Derrick is a 14-time All-American and will graduate this week with a degree in economics. Derrick has a 3.869 GPA and will continue to train this summer with hopes of making the U.S. Olympic team.

A Scholar-Athlete of the Year is named in each of the Pac-12's 22 sponsored sports. The Pac-12 Conference, in cooperation with Pac-12 corporate partner Toyo Tires, established the "Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards, presented by Toyo Tires" during the 2007-08 academic year.