TSU's Avian Hughes Named BEYA STEM Award Winner

AVIAN HUGHES
6'2" JUMPS
HOMETOWN: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
TOM CLARK HIGH SCHOOL

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University's Avian Hughes was selected as a Black Engineer of the Year Award's STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) student-athlete award winner last week.

Hughes, a member of the TSU track & field program, holds a 3.10 GPA with a major in Electrical Engineering. He has been a three-year letter winner for the Flying Tigers track & field team and a member of the Air Force ROTC program.

"Avian is a great example of what being a college student is all about," noted TSU Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services, Dr. Johnnie Smith. "For a young man to balance academics, athletics and ROTC, and excel in all three, he is truly the epitome of excellence. I am so proud of Avian and I salute him on this national achievement."

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Hughes claimed All-Conference accolades during his freshman campaign in the long jump. Hughes primarily focuses in the long jump and triple jump.

His best triple jump mark this season came with a distance of 13.57-meters at the UNC Dick Taylor Invitational. Hughes also leapt 7.04m in the long jump at the Dick Taylor Invitational.

"First of all congratulations to Avian for being an outstanding student-athlete," said TSU Track & Field Director Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice. "He is really dedicated on what he does on the track and it shows in the classroom as well."

Hughes will be recognized at the Student Leadership Awards Dinner during the 26th annual BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference in Philadelphia, Pa., on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information