2015 Watkins Award National Finalist Named

African American Scholar Athletes receive top Honors

Washington, DC (December 30, 2014) – On Saturday, February 21, 2015, at 6:00pm, The National Alliance of African American Athletes (The Alliance) will recognize another stellar group of high school athletes from across the nation for the Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Award. The award is presented each year to the nation's top African American male high school scholar athlete.

The five finalists in alphabetical order are:

* Frank Buncom IV, San Diego, CA – Vice President of the African American Alliance, Executive Commissioner of Athletics, Founder of Young Christians Making a Difference, Volunteer for Ronald McDonald House, Youth Rotarian, Congress of Future Medical Leaders, International Boys Schools Coalition, Academic Letter Winner, Pre-Medical Club, Hogar Infantil Club, Volunteer of Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, 2014 Team MVP, 1st Team California All Eastern League, 1st Team All-CIF, California All State and Semper Fidelis Football All American while maintaining a 4.5 GPA at Saint Augustine High School.

* Arrington Farrar, Atlanta, GA - Woodward Academic Honor Student, Vice President of Student Government Association, Gold Eagle Honor Student, Service Leadership Board Community Award, Member of Senator at Large Club, Member of Five Points Diversity Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Member, Best Defensive Back Award, Atlanta All Metro, Georgia 1st Team All Region, Georgia 1st Team All State, Rising Senior Bowl All American, Semper Fidelis Football All American while maintaining a 3.5 GPA at Woodward Academy.

* Holton Hill, Houston, TX – Member of National Society, Honor School Scholar, Member of Young Life Christian Organization, 2014 National Honors Student, NewsFix Class Act Player, Member of American Israeli Friendship League, 1st Team All District, Football State Finalist, Dave Campbell 1st Team, All American Nike Opening, Nike Opening Defensive MVP, Touchdown Club of Houston Team, Houston Area High School Defensive Player Of The Year, The Chronicle's All-Greater Houston Defensive Player of the Year, #1 in Texas with 12 interceptions, District 20-6A Defensive MVP, and Semper Fidelis Football All American maintaining a 3.5 GPA at Lamar High School.

* Bryce Love – Raleigh, NC – Member of National Honors Society, National Achievers Honor Society, National Beta Club, Distributive Education Club of America, Boys and Girls Club Volunteer, Homeless and Rescue Mission Volunteer, Volunteer at the Duke Children’s Hospital Cancer Center, 2014 Time Warner Scholar Athlete, News and Observer All Metro, DECA States Participant, North Carolina Shrine Bowl All American, Cap 8 Conference MVP, Wake Forest Stallion Award, Cap 8 Player of the Year, All Conference, North Carolina All State, while maintaining a 4.5 GPA at Wake Forest High School.

* Daylon Mack, Gladewater, TX – 2014 All Academic Honors, Texas Globe Scholar, District Academic MVP, Mr Texas Player of the Year, All East-Texas Newcomer of the Year, All District Player, All East-Texas Player, , Texas All State Football Selection, Ranked Top 10 High School Player in the Nation, Ranked #1 Player in the State of Texas Under Armour Football All American while maintaining a 3.2 GPA at Gladewater High School.

* Justin Reid, Baton Rouge, LA – Member of Hurricane Katrina Clean Up, Dutchtown Student of the Year, Gallant Griffin Award for Academics & Character, 2014 Courage Award, First Team All State, First Team All Metro, and Sportsline Player of the Year while maintaining a 4.4 GPA at Dutchtown High School.

The Watkins Award ceremony will be held at the prestigious Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, in Washington DC

"This year’s 2015 Watkins Award features an incredible collection of fine student athletes," Everette Pearsall, Executive Director of The Alliance, shares. “Each of these young men are well equipped for success academically. We have continued to recognize and honor the premier African American Scholar Athletes in the United States.”

Finalists are chosen based on their unweighted grade point average, their personal statements, extracurricular activities, community service, and letters of recommendation. Each winner will be recognized in Washington, DC, receive an award, ring, and dinner in their hometown.

Sponsors of this year’s event include Under Armour, Peoples Financial Services, Wal-Mart, Dell, Inc, Nash Management Group, Early Morning Software, and Jostens Corporation who manufactures the Watkins Award trophy and rings.

Media representatives are invited to cover the awards ceremony. For more information about the Watkins Award, The Alliance, or to get tickets for the awards ceremony visit our website at www.naaaa.com or email everette@naaaa.com

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The Watkins Award has been presented annually to African American scholar-athletes since 1992. The Watkins Award is named for Franklin D. Watkins, the coach of championship football and basketball teams in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Previous award winners include Heisman Trophy Winner Jameis Winston of Florida State, Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle, Justin Blalock of the Atlanta Falcons, Gerald McCoy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arrelious Benn formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles. Ben Tate of the Minnesota Vikings, DeVier Posey of the Houston Texans, Ted Ginn Jr. and Lorenzo Alexander of the Arizona Cardinals, Marcedes Lewis of Jacksonville Jaguars, Darnell Dinkins, formerly of the New Orleans Saints, LaVar Arrington, formerly of the Washington Redskins, Joseph Barksdale of the St. Louis Rams, Grant Irons and Ronald Curry formerly of the Oakland Raiders, , to name a few.

The National Alliance of African American Athletes was founded in 1989. The mission of The Alliance is to empower African American males through athletics, education and public programs.