Chapman swimmer featured in NCAA art exhibit and magazine

ORANGE, Calif. - Chapman University freshman Sarah Lee has barely gotten her feet wet as a college athlete, yet she's about to make a big splash at the NCAA Convention in Washington D.C. next week. The rookie swimmer and water polo player will be one of just 20 student-athletes nationwide featured in an art show called "Statements" - the first-of-its-kind.

Lee's art specialty is photography and she is studying film at Chapman. The Kailua-Kona, Hawaii native is a member of the Panthers' swimming team and will play water polo in the spring.

"Sarah's photography is very impressive and special," said Chapman Director of Athletics David Currey. "We are extremely proud to have her represent Chapman at the NCAA art show and showcase her talent."

Lee will be one of 13 student-athletes featured in the January print issue of the NCAA's Champion magazine. The article will include personal statements about the students' work, how it relates to their athletics accomplishments, and self-portraits that are in many cases as creative as the work itself.

"Photography has become my primary creative medium and not only allows me to express what I observe, but also serve as an invaluable learning tool," said Lee in NCAA's Champion magazine. "It helps me to be a creative problem solver and transfers to my visual intuitiveness of the videos and films I have created."

The NCAA Convention is scheduled from January 13-17 in Washington D.C. and the art show will take place at Gaylord National. The January issue of Champion magazine will be released on January 19.

See some of Sarah's photography online:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/clashed/sets/72157602142463872/detail/

For the complete NCAA press release on the "Statements" art show:
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=43312