chris hernandez

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Stanford-Bound Chris Hernandez Wins
B'nai Brith Award--(May 16, 2001)

This was actually reported a week or so ago in the Fresno Bee, but we were pleasantly surprised to come across it. Here's the word:

Hernandez selected B'nai B'rith winner

The Fresno Bee
(Published May 10, 2001)

Stanford-bound point guard Chris Hernandez added to his accomplishments Wednesday and received a $2,500 college scholarship by being named the B'nai B'rith Student Athlete of the Year. Hernandez holds the Central Section record for assists (807) and was selected as the state's Division1 basketball player of the year his senior season. He is expected to graduate from Clovis West High with a 4.05 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.

Noting that his parents, Jose and Jan, rose from humble roots to become educators and that he will receive a Stanford scholarship, Hernandez wrote in his B'nai B'rith nomination letter than he was "living the American Dream." The banquet at the Fresno Convention Center's new Exhibit Hall marked the 50th anniversary of the B'nai B'rith awards, which recognize the top student-athletes from Fresno area high schools. Twelve other nominees each received a $500 scholarship. Sanger High's Monique Molina, with a 4.24 grade-point average, received the organization's Irving Negin Academic Award for the candidate with the highest academic achievement.

We were actually surprised to read that B'nai Brith had a chapter in Fresno, and an earlier article by Lisa Burnett, a Fresno Bee Staff Writer, featured some information on the history of the award which honors local high school athletes, and which apparently has been doing so for 50 years in Fresno" .

In celebration of 50 years of honoring student-athletes, the Fresno Chapter of B'nai B'rith will hold its awards banquet Wednesday at the new Exhibit Hall.

But the organization remains as it was in 1952 when Edison High's Huey Davis became the first scholarship winner: recognize today's high achievers, many of whom will become community leaders.

"I don't think that's changed in 50 years," said Stuart Weil, a selection-committee member. "We still have the same need to recognize these people who really achieve."

Wednesday, the committee will do just that, honoring one student from each of 13 schools and awarding a $2,500 scholarship to one of them. The other finalists will receive a $500 scholarship.

The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Fresno Convention Center New Exhibit Hall. Normally, the dinner is held at a local high school, but the committee wanted a special site for its golden anniversary banquet.

"We're expecting a lot of people. We hope to have a lot of past winners," Weil said.

Rod Kraft will be there. The 1973 winner, Kraft is the team physician for the Fresno State football team and a member of the selection committee.

When B'nai B'rith members hatched the idea for an annual award, the thought was that it would promote brotherhood among various religious groups.

The award has grown since 1952 when it involved four high schools and Davis -- a basketball and baseball standout -- received a $100 scholarship.

Weil sees no reason the award won't continue another 50 years.

"I don't see it stopping," he said.

Congratulations to Stanford-bound Chris Hernandez and his family from SoCalHoops.