Pilakowski was one of 58 student-athletes across all NCAA (Divisions I, II and III) fall sports (men?s and women?s cross country, women?s field hockey, football, men?s and women?s soccer, women?s volleyball and men?s water polo) and one of 29 female student-athletes to claim the $6,900 scholarship. She was the only female student-athlete at a Big 12 Conference institution to claim the award.

Pilakowski, a senior from Columbus, Neb., majors in marketing and owns a 3.957 grade-point average. One of the most decorated players on and off the court in Nebraska volleyball history, Pilakowski was also a three-time Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-American and a two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American. The 2002 Big 12 Co-Player of the Year, Pilakowski finished her career ranked sixth all-time in career hitting percentage (.319), eighth in career kills (1,183) and eighth in career attacks (2,661).

The 6-2 outside hitter continued her athletic career following the conclusion of the 2002 volleyball season, joining the women?s basketball team Jan. 1, 2003. Pilakowski has played in 17 games and has started three at forward, averaging more than five points and five rebounds per game despite not participating in the sport since her senior season at Columbus High School in 1998-99.

To qualify for an NCAA postgraduate scholarship, a student-athlete must have an overall grade-point average of 3.200 (on a 4.000 scale) or its equivalent and must have performed with distinction as a member of the varsity team in the sport in which the student-athlete was nominated. The student-athlete must have behaved, both on and off the field, in a manner that has brought credit to the student-athlete, the institution and intercollegiate athletics. The student-athlete also must intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree as a full-time or part-time graduate student.

Nomination forms are sent to faculty athletics representatives for fall sports in September, for winter sports in late November and for spring sports in February. Selections are made three times each academic year. The application must be submitted during the appropriate seasonal category for the sport. Candidates are screened by seven regional selection committees, and the winners are selected by the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Committee.

In addition to the fall sport honorees, the NCAA also awards 116 postgraduate scholarships to student-athletes participating in winter and spring sports in which the NCAA conducts championships, for a total of 174 postgraduate scholarships annually.