INDIANAPOLIS – Cal Poly Pomona senior Dahir Nasser was awarded an NCAA Division II Degree-Completion Award, the NCAA announced Monday. 

According to the NCAA, the purpose of the Division II Degree-Completion Award program is to provide financial assistance to deserving student-athletes with completion of a first baccalaureate degree. Candidates are student-athletes who have exhausted their athletic eligibility and have received athletic financial aid. 

“Dahir has been a great student and representative of Cal Poly Pomona athletics, both in the classroom and on the court,'' CPP Academic Counselor Scott Tsuji said. “He has worked extremely hard for all the success he has achieved and I couldn't be happier for him. I know he is excited and honored on being selected for this award that will ensure the completion of his degree.” 

The selection process for the national award emphasizes the academic performance of the student-athlete. Other factors considered are financial circumstances, athletic achievement and involvement in campus and community activities. 

Nasser, a psychology major from Phoenix, was a key member on the Broncos' 2010 NCAA national championship basketball squad. He was two-year starter at point guard and earned All-CCAA honors this past season and was named to the 2010 Elite Eight All-Tournament team.

In his two years with the Broncos, CPP owned an overall record of 54-14 (the most wins in a two-year period in school history), won two CCAA regular-season championships, two NCAA West Region titles and finished second in the nation in 2009. 

Off the court, he was named one of CPP's two Hal Charnofsky Award recipients this past season. The award recognizes CCAA student-athletes who “have distinguished themselves in the classroom and in their sport.” 

The NCAA established the Division II Degree-Completion Award Program in 2001. To date, more than $2 million has been given to approximately 600 deserving student-athletes. Of those student-athletes who have received the award since its inception, 93 percent have earned their undergraduate degree using this program.