TEMPE, Ariz. – Sun Devil Hockey rising senior forward Jake Clifford was named the 2018 Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Division I Hockey Scholar Athlete of the Year by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine.
In addition to their athletic ability, students named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must maintain a cumulative grade average of at least 3.2, be at least a sophomore academically, and be active on their campuses or in their communities.
"This prestigious award just further exemplifies what Jake Clifford is all about," said head coach Greg Powers. "The character, maturity and leadership skills he has developed over the past three years at ASU have been amazing to witness. We are so proud of Jake for his accomplishments both on and off the ice. He is going to be tremendously successful in life."
Clifford is majoring in Business Communications and maintains a 3.43 GPA. Throughout the season, Clifford participated in several community service events, including visiting the Phoenix Children's Hospital Child Life Zone as well as spending time with the One Step Bobcats and Mission AZ Ice Special Edition teams of the American Special Hockey Association on the ice at Oceanside during the season.
Along with his dedication in the community, Clifford has dedicated himself as a teammate and Sun Devil on the ice. After spending his first two seasons as a defenseman, Clifford took on the challenge of moving to forward and set a career high for points this season. On the road at No. 19 Air Force, he captured his first multi-point game with a goal and an assist on Oct. 14.
Over the course of the 2017-18 season, he earned his way from the fourth-line center to the third line down the stretch.
The last Sun Devil to be named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Athlete of the Year was Sai Tummala of men's basketball in 2015, who was the overall male winner.
Read the full release here.
In addition to their athletic ability, students named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must maintain a cumulative grade average of at least 3.2, be at least a sophomore academically, and be active on their campuses or in their communities.
"This prestigious award just further exemplifies what Jake Clifford is all about," said head coach Greg Powers. "The character, maturity and leadership skills he has developed over the past three years at ASU have been amazing to witness. We are so proud of Jake for his accomplishments both on and off the ice. He is going to be tremendously successful in life."
Clifford is majoring in Business Communications and maintains a 3.43 GPA. Throughout the season, Clifford participated in several community service events, including visiting the Phoenix Children's Hospital Child Life Zone as well as spending time with the One Step Bobcats and Mission AZ Ice Special Edition teams of the American Special Hockey Association on the ice at Oceanside during the season.
Along with his dedication in the community, Clifford has dedicated himself as a teammate and Sun Devil on the ice. After spending his first two seasons as a defenseman, Clifford took on the challenge of moving to forward and set a career high for points this season. On the road at No. 19 Air Force, he captured his first multi-point game with a goal and an assist on Oct. 14.
Over the course of the 2017-18 season, he earned his way from the fourth-line center to the third line down the stretch.
The last Sun Devil to be named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Athlete of the Year was Sai Tummala of men's basketball in 2015, who was the overall male winner.
Read the full release here.