College of Charleston Student Athlete Alyssa D’Orazio Receives $5,000 Family Circle Cup Scholarship

Track & Field Standout Selected for Academic Achievement and Community Service

CHARLESTON, SC – March 14, 2011 – The Family Circle Cup Community Outreach program is all about making a difference in the community.  In 2002, the tournament started a scholarship grant at the College of Charleston for outstanding female student-athletes who excel both on and off the playing field.  Every year, $5,000 is donated to a well-rounded student based on a number of criteria including academic accomplishment, community involvement, financial need, and athletic prowess.  This year’s winner is junior Alyssa D’Orazio, a Business Administration major and standout member of the College of Charleston’s Women’s Track & Field team.  In addition to the $5,000 grant, D’Orazio will have an opportunity to participate in a coin toss prior to a stadium court match at the Family Circle Cup. Marking the tournament’s 39th consecutive year, the Family Circle Cup is scheduled April 2-10, 2011 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in the Best Tennis Town in America, Charleston, SC.

Each scholarship applicant was asked to write an essay on what makes her a good candidate for this scholarship. Through her letter, D’Orazio, a junior from Haddonfield, NJ, conveyed that she is as ambitious about education and volunteerism as she is about athletics.  She went on to illustrate how important it is to give back to those in need, especially to underprivileged children in the Charleston community.

Pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Hospitality and Tourism Management, D’Orazio has maintained a 3.7 GPA.  She has distinguished herself as a Scholar Athlete each year at The College, been named to the Academic All-Conference Team four times, and positioned herself on the Director of Athletics Honor Roll throughout 2010, all by maintaining a high GPA.  She is currently the Director of Finances of the College of Charleston’s Club of Hospitality and Tourism, and a member of the Student Finance and Investment Club.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be chosen for this honor, and I really appreciate the Family Circle Cup’s generosity and support, as well as the impact this will have on my education,” said D’Orazio.  “I’ve worked so hard at the College of Charleston, both on and off the track, and this scholarship will really help me cover a good portion of my tuition in the fall semester.”

Outside of her normal coursework, D’Orazio maintains 20-40 hour per week employment as a guest services agent at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Charleston, and is also currently committed to a semester-long, volunteer internship with the Jewish Community Center where she is helping organize the 2011 Kids Fair Gala.  In previous years, she has volunteered at numerous charitable events, participated in an instructional track program for youth in Mount Pleasant, SC, and lent her time in support of the March of Dimes.  As a capstone of her volunteer achievement, D’Orazio helped to expand the Global Soap Project in Charleston via the Club of Hospitality and Tourism in 2010, where the group collected used soap which was sanitized, recycled, and shipped to refugee camps in Africa.

“Alyssa D’Orazio is a shining example of achievement.  She is a role model for young women who want to be the very best they can, as they live a fulfilled life centered around success in academics, volunteerism, and athletics,” said Eleanor Adams, Family Circle Cup Tournament Manager. “We commend her for all of the hard work she has given to the College of Charleston over the past three years, and we can only hope that this grant will relieve some of the stress in her busy life.”

Despite a demanding class schedule and volunteerism calendar, D’Orazio has also committed a significant amount of her time as a highly successful student athlete, garnering Southern Conference (SoCon) All-Academic honors each year from 2008 through 2010.  She was also named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team and received All-Conference Honors in 2009 with a 3rd place finish at the SoCon Indoor Championship.  In addition, D’Orazio set College of Charleston records in the 800 meter individual event and distance medley relay in 2011, and a new school 4×800 meter relay record in February, 2011.

I’m very proud of Alyssa and feel she is very deserving of this recognition. She works very hard in practice, in the classroom and in the community and we feel she represents our program and university very well, said Amy Seago, Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach, College of Charleston.

Family Circle Tennis Center

The Family Circle Tennis Center, home of the Family Circle Cup, is a public facility owned by the City of Charleston and operated by Meredith Corporation that also hosts a variety of additional events including concerts, festivals, tennis tournaments and other activities throughout the year.  Charleston, South Carolina bested 81 U.S. cities in being voted the Best Tennis Town in America in the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) 2010 contest.  The Family Circle Cup receives four days of live broadcast domestically on ESPN2, and is viewed internationally by over 25 countries, featuring over 140 hours of live and delayed global broadcast time, reaching 4.33 million viewers worldwide.  With over 21 million readers, Family Circle is one of the most widely read monthly magazines in America and is one of 14 leading subscription magazines owned by Meredith Corporation. The Tennis Center features a 10,200 seat stadium, Grand Lawn, 17 tennis courts lighted for night play, Pro Shop, and a full service event management staff capable of handling all aspects of an event including ticketing, operations, sales, marketing, public relations, and food & beverage.  For tickets or more info, call (843) 856-7900 or visit familycirclecup.com.