Bauman Receives NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

PROVO -- Linebacker Matt Bauman has been named a recipient of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship based on his academic and athletic accomplishments at BYU. The scholarship is awarded to student-athletes who plan on exploring postgraduate study at a part-time or full-time university or professional school.

“This is a great honor,” said Bauman. “I feel extremely lucky to have played football at BYU while also receiving a great education. This will have a positive impact on my future.”

A two-time ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American and four-time Academic All-MWC honoree, Bauman graduates this April with a degree in finance. He plans on working for two years before enrolling in business school at either Harvard or Stanford, both of which he has already been accepted into.

The native of Salt Lake City, Bauman was named a 2009 National Scholar Athlete by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame. A team captain, he started 12 of BYU’s 13 games in 2009 after starting all 13 in 2008 and totaled 234 career tackles. Playing in his final game as a Cougar, Bauman recovered a fumble against Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl, returning it for a 34-yard touchdown, marking the first in BYU bowl history.

Bauman is one of 12 football players and 29 fall sport male student-athletes across the country to receive the award.

The NCAA awards up to 174 postgraduate scholarships annually—87 for men and 87 for women. The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship was created in 1964 to promote and encourage postgraduate education by rewarding the Association's most accomplished student-athletes through their participation in NCAA championship and/or emerging sports. Athletics and academic achievements, as well as campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities and demonstrated leadership, are evaluated.