Six Bison Named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars
5/20/2022 2:00:00 PM | Football, Men's Track and Field, Women's Basketball, Student-Athlete Enrichment
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Six Bucknell student-athletes have been named 2022 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars by the publication Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Women's basketball's Tai Johnson, men's track & field's Caleb Wooten, and football's Coleman Bennett, Tarrin Earle, Brent Jackson, and Dominic Lyles were all honored.
The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar awards recognize undergraduate students of color who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic fields. The awards are inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe's commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis. Student-athletes of color who have maintained a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade-point average, are a sophomore standing or higher, contributing members to their team, and are active in community activities are eligible to be nominated.
Earle and Lyles both received prestigious awards at last month's annual Athletics Senior Awards Dinner. Lyles was given the 'ray Bucknell Award, presented to the senior student-athlete who through his/her actions has worked to eliminate attitudes and actions that have separated, excluded, or marginalized people in the past and has facilitated true understanding and recognition among multiple campus and Lewisburg community constituencies. Earle received the John F. Zeller Award, presented for outstanding contributions to Bison Athletics while exemplifying the best of Bucknell in the manner that John Zeller did in his 68 years of service to the University.
In addition to his prowess as an All-Patriot League wide receiver, Lyles majored in international relations and was heavily involved in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion on the Bucknell campus and beyond. He was the co-founder of the Bison Athletes of Color student-run affinity group, which strives to build a community among student-athletes of color. He was a member of SAAC's social responsibility group, and he was a member of the Minority Undergraduate Law Society while serving as a Black Lives Matter student-athlete representative. On the football field, Lyles caught 91 career passes for 1,149 yards and six touchdowns. The 2021 Spring All-Patriot League Second Team member will graduate with school records for single-game receptions and single-game touchdown catches.
Earle was the opening-day starting quarterback for the Bison last fall, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury in that game. Despite the unexpected early end to his senior year, the co-captain remained fully entrenched in the program and helped develop younger teammates. He was honored with the team's C. Dale Wolfe Recognition Award for his efforts. Earle was also heavily involved in the Bison Athletes of Color affinity group, the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute Roundtable, and as co-chair of the Bison Athletics Senior Gift Drive. He majored in markets, innovation, and design in the Freeman College of Management.
Jackson, a finance major, earned the football team's Gridiron Club Award as team MVP and the Clarke Hinkle Award as the most outstanding defensive back or linebacker. The junior was one of two Bison to start all 11 2021 games. A junior safety, he led Bucknell in tackles (77) and also registered 1.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Bennett, who is majoring in sociology, received the team's Theodore S. Ratkus Football Leadership Award for character, courage, and commitment to team play. Bennett was a Preseason All-Patriot League selection as a kick return specialist last year, and he also played running back and wide receiver during his sophomore campaign.
Wooten is a junior middle-distance runner on the Bison track and field squad. He was part of Bucknell's 4x400-meter relay that captured bronze medals at the 2022 Patriot League Indoor Championships at Gerhard Fieldhouse. At that meet, he also ran a personal-best 51.86 in the open 400 and finished 14th. Academically, Wooten is a Dean's List student majoring in education and Africana studies.
Johnson, a biology major, played in all 34 games with 19 starts this past season for a Bison women's basketball squad that advanced to the Patriot League championship game and then to the second round of the WNIT. Johnson recorded a career-high 11 points in a win over Lafayette.
The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar awards recognize undergraduate students of color who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic fields. The awards are inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe's commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis. Student-athletes of color who have maintained a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade-point average, are a sophomore standing or higher, contributing members to their team, and are active in community activities are eligible to be nominated.
Earle and Lyles both received prestigious awards at last month's annual Athletics Senior Awards Dinner. Lyles was given the 'ray Bucknell Award, presented to the senior student-athlete who through his/her actions has worked to eliminate attitudes and actions that have separated, excluded, or marginalized people in the past and has facilitated true understanding and recognition among multiple campus and Lewisburg community constituencies. Earle received the John F. Zeller Award, presented for outstanding contributions to Bison Athletics while exemplifying the best of Bucknell in the manner that John Zeller did in his 68 years of service to the University.
In addition to his prowess as an All-Patriot League wide receiver, Lyles majored in international relations and was heavily involved in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion on the Bucknell campus and beyond. He was the co-founder of the Bison Athletes of Color student-run affinity group, which strives to build a community among student-athletes of color. He was a member of SAAC's social responsibility group, and he was a member of the Minority Undergraduate Law Society while serving as a Black Lives Matter student-athlete representative. On the football field, Lyles caught 91 career passes for 1,149 yards and six touchdowns. The 2021 Spring All-Patriot League Second Team member will graduate with school records for single-game receptions and single-game touchdown catches.
Earle was the opening-day starting quarterback for the Bison last fall, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury in that game. Despite the unexpected early end to his senior year, the co-captain remained fully entrenched in the program and helped develop younger teammates. He was honored with the team's C. Dale Wolfe Recognition Award for his efforts. Earle was also heavily involved in the Bison Athletes of Color affinity group, the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute Roundtable, and as co-chair of the Bison Athletics Senior Gift Drive. He majored in markets, innovation, and design in the Freeman College of Management.
Jackson, a finance major, earned the football team's Gridiron Club Award as team MVP and the Clarke Hinkle Award as the most outstanding defensive back or linebacker. The junior was one of two Bison to start all 11 2021 games. A junior safety, he led Bucknell in tackles (77) and also registered 1.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Bennett, who is majoring in sociology, received the team's Theodore S. Ratkus Football Leadership Award for character, courage, and commitment to team play. Bennett was a Preseason All-Patriot League selection as a kick return specialist last year, and he also played running back and wide receiver during his sophomore campaign.
Wooten is a junior middle-distance runner on the Bison track and field squad. He was part of Bucknell's 4x400-meter relay that captured bronze medals at the 2022 Patriot League Indoor Championships at Gerhard Fieldhouse. At that meet, he also ran a personal-best 51.86 in the open 400 and finished 14th. Academically, Wooten is a Dean's List student majoring in education and Africana studies.
Johnson, a biology major, played in all 34 games with 19 starts this past season for a Bison women's basketball squad that advanced to the Patriot League championship game and then to the second round of the WNIT. Johnson recorded a career-high 11 points in a win over Lafayette.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
S
/ Football
G
/ Women's Basketball
WR
/ Football
Mid-Distance
/ Men's Track and FieldMichigan State at Bucknell Field Hockey Highlights 9-28-2025
Sunday, September 28
Saint Francis at Bucknell Football Highlights 9-27-2025
Sunday, September 28
Post Game Interview vs. SFU
Sunday, September 28
Boston University at Bucknell Men's Soccer Highlights 9-27-2025
Saturday, September 27