The group’s purpose is to assist the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee on issues such as recruiting, amateurism and financial aid conditions, specifically on the impact proposed legislation in those areas could have on the sports of football, and men’s and women’s basketball.
“It’s an honor to be chosen to participate in this group,” said Ashley. “I’m looking forward to being able to express my opinion on issues that will be able to help student-athletes not just from Western Kentucky, but other schools as well.”
Ashley, a resident of Owensboro, Ky., was selected to participate on the basis of good character and intelligence as well as his status as a serious candidate to be selected in the 2005 National Football League Draft. After being recruited by numerous Division I-A institutions, he attended Louisville for a year before transferring to the Hill in the summer of 2001.
“It’s a big honor for both Buster and our program to be recognized by the NCAA in this way,” Hilltopper head coach David Elson said. “For them to ask Buster to serve in this capacity will be a great experience for him. It will be something that he can put to good use in the future.”
Ashley will serve as a member of the group through the end of the football season when his eligibility expires.
“It’s a tribute not just to Buster, but our entire program, when someone at the highest level of the NCAA recognizes the outstanding qualities of leadership in one of our student-athletes,” James Brown, Western’s Faculty Athletics Representative, said. “Buster’s selection to this group shows that we are accomplishing our goal of having both a strong academic and athletic program at WKU.”
A two-time All-America selection, Ashley has also earned all-Gateway Football Conference honors in each of his first three years on the Hill. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound tackle has already been chosen the league’s Offensive Lineman of the Week once in 2004, an honor he has claimed four times in his career.
