Ulrey earns SEC Sportsmanship Award
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Razorback junior Dorian Ulrey, a member of the men’s track and field team, is the recipient of the 2008-09 Southeastern Conference Sportsmanship Award, it was announced by the conference office Friday. He was chosen by a vote of the SEC Directors of Athletics.
Ulrey, a junior from Port Byron, Ill., gave up his spot on the distance medley relay team at the 2009 SEC Indoor Championships to his teammate, Michael Chinchar. By not participating on the Razorback’s SEC champion distance medley relay team, Ulrey ultimately gave up an additional conference championship after previously winning the mile and the 3,000 meters as well as the Commissioner’s Trophy, awarded to the high-point scorer. At the time of the decision, Ulrey stated that Chinchar should have an opportunity to be an SEC Champion.
"There is no question that Dorian Ulrey is a team player," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "That’s just another one of his great qualities. He’s had such a successful season, academically and athletically, and we are very proud of him. He is very deserving of this award."
Last week, Ulrey was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District men’s track and field and cross country team. With a GPA of 3.50 as a sociology major, he was also named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year last month.
Ulrey, in his first season with the Hogs and competing in the SEC, picked up three SEC titles in 2009: the mile and 3,000 meters indoors and the 1,500 meters outdoors. He was also a three-time NCAA Indoor All-American (mile, 3,000 meters, distance medley relay).
Indoors, he clocked the NCAA’s No. 3 mile time and No. 4 3K time. His season bests in both events led the SEC. He was also a member of the NCAA- and SEC-leading and school-record setting DMR (9:28.35) with a 3:54 mile split as the anchor.
Ulrey will run in the finals of the 1,500 meters at the NCAA Championships Saturday, June 13 at 1:21 p.m. For more information on Arkansas Athletics, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
