SAN DIEGO – Kama Kamaka of the University of San Diego football team has been named FCS Athletic Directors Association (ADA) Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the organization announced today. Kamaka was selected out of a field of nine finalists and 50 FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team honorees to receive a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship.
 
"Kama epitomizes the model scholar-athlete and we are exceptionally proud that he has been honored by the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) with his selection for the Postgraduate Scholarship," said Associate Vice President/Executive Director of Athletics Bill McGillis. "Kama has been a winner in the classroom, a winner on the playing field and a winner in the community since the day he walked on the University of San Diego campus."
 
A native of Kailua, Hawaii, Kamaka recently graduated with a degree in accountancy and real estate at the University of San Diego, where he carried a 3.60 GPA. After graduating, Kamaka landed a job with Ernst & Young and is now hard at work in his professional career.
 
"Receiving the nationally recognized and prestigious postgraduate scholarship award is very meaningful to me, my family, and my school. It is a surreal ending to my career, and it is truly an honor to be recognized by the committee for all the hard work I have put in on the field, in the classroom, and in the community," said Kamaka. "I would like to thank my mom, dad, and brother for everything they do for me. I would also like to thank all my coaches and mentors, especially my trainer and coach back home, Randy Morris. I would not be where I am without their guidance. My postgraduate plans are currently working for Ernst & Young, obtaining my CPA license, and hopefully in the near future attending a school to obtain my Master of Business Administration."
 
Kamaka is a three-time All-PFL selection, four-time All-Pioneer Football League selection, and a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree. He has played in every game of his University of San Diego career, and in October 2020, he was named a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy, college football's premier scholar-athlete award.
 
"This distinction for Kama by the FCS ADA is something that has not been a secret to us at the University of San Diego since he was starting as a freshman," said head coach Dale Lindsey. "Kama has always been reliable and hard-working, on and off the field, and was an exceptional member of our team and campus community. We are incredibly proud to have him being recognized nationally for his great achievements."
 
Kamaka played in all 11 games this season, compiling 49 total tackles, a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pass break up, and a quarterback hurry. His biggest play of the year came against St. Thomas, when he ripped the ball out of the running back's arms, picked up the fumble, and took it back 38 yards for the game-tying touchdown late in the third.
 
"For Kama to be recognized by the FCS Athletic Directors Association as one of the finest football players from schools across the nation who have performed with distinction in the classroom is truly an honor," added Associate AD for Academics & Scholar-Athlete Development Ron Valenzuela. "Kama is a promising young scholar who expanded his sense of self and intellectual curiosity during his journey at the University of San Diego. When Kama's athletic excellence, academic achievement, leadership, citizenship and service are combined, we are reminded how thinking and doing are both necessary components of the USD education as a whole and, indeed, of the liberal arts education we position at its center."