Vaughn receives WBCA Robin Roberts Award; SEC opening round tonight

NASHVILLE — The Arkansas Lady Razorbacks open the 2008 Southeastern Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament tonight at 9 p.m. against the Auburn Tigers.

Tipoff at the Sommet Center in Nashville is a rematch of last Sunday’s game at Auburn.

The winner of the Auburn-Arkansas game faces Vanderbilt on Friday at 9 p.m.

In other Lady’Back basketball news, the WBCA announced today that Brittney Vaughn is the winner of the Robin Roberts Award. She is the first Arkansas women’s basketball player to receive an individual national award from the WBCA. From the WBCA press release today:

ATLANTA – Brittney Vaughn of the University of Arkansas has been chosen to receive the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) Robin Roberts/WBCA Broadcasting Scholarship Award.

The Robin Roberts/WBCA Broadcasting Scholarship Award is presented annually to one female collegiate basketball player who intends to pursue graduate work and a career in sports communications/journalism. As part of the scholarship, $500 is provided by Robin Roberts for travel to/from the WBCA National Convention for the recipient, while $4,500 goes directly to the institution for the student’s tuition.

"Brittney has succeeded both academically and athletically which makes me so proud to present her with the Robin Roberts/WBCA Broadcasting Scholarship," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "On behalf of the WBCA, I wish her nothing but the best in all future endeavors."

Vaughn, who hails from Plano, Texas, has had a solid senior year averaging better than 10 points per game and 4.5 assists. She was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2007 Blue Sky Classic and the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District, Second Team. In addition, Vaughn has been selected to participate in the 2008 Nike’s So You Want to be a Coach program.

Aside from spending time on the court and in the classroom, Vaughn has spent a number of hours pursuing her interest in media. During her junior year, she used a department video camera to provide a "Brittney Cam" look at the Southeastern Conference Media Day. The previous season, Vaughn had her own show on the campus radio station, KXUA.

Vaughn will receive the award on Tuesday, April 8, during the WBCA Awards Luncheon
presented by State Farm and Jostens at Noon (ET) in the Marriott Waterside’s Grand Ballroom. The luncheon is a part of the 2008 WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women’s Final Four® in Tampa Bay, Fla.