The NCAA established the Walter Byers Scholarship to recognize the contributions of the former executive director through encouraging excellence in academic performance by student-athletes. Annually, one male and one female student-athlete are awarded a Walter Byers Scholarship in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and potential for success in graduate study. If the graduate school where the Byers Scholar is enrolled provides evidence of the scholar's satisfactory performance and progress, the grant may be renewed for a second year. Nominees must have competed in intercollegiate athletics as a member of a varsity team at an NCAA member institution; be a graduating senior or be enrolled in graduate study at an NCAA member institution; have intentions of applying for admission into a graduate degree program at a properly accredited, nonprofit educational institution or into a post-baccalaureate professional degree program at a professionally accredited law school, medical school, or the equivalent, without restriction as to the national site of the institution; have evidenced superior character and leadership; and have demonstrated that participation in athletics and community service has been a positive influence on the nominee's personal and intellectual development. United States citizenship is not a required criterion to satisfy eligibility requirements. Four letters of recommendation, from four different people are required: a faculty member teaching in the discipline of the nominee's baccalaureate degree; a person able to judge the nominee's contribution to intercollegiate athletics; and two endorsers of the applicant's choice. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the National Collegiate Athletic Association for more information.