MALIBU, Calif. – Pepperdine women’s basketball player Daphanie Kennedy (Oakland, Calif./ Kearny HS) has touched many hearts in her basketball career. It was not uncommon to see her high school teachers at her games or local residents cheering her on.

 

Among her supporters are Jim and Judy Zierick of Malibu. They never missed a home game and even traveled to several away games to lend their support to Kennedy and the Waves.

 

Last Thursday evening (March 28), the Zierick's showed incredible generosity by announcing the establishment of a women’s basketball endowed scholarship in Daphanie’s name. Judy commended Daphanie on her incredible accomplishments on and off the basketball court. Daphanie is the first generation in her family to not only attend college, but graduate. She accomplished this in four years which is not an easy feat for a student athlete.

 

The Ziereck’s lauded Daphanie on her leadership, work ethic, sportsmanship and tenacity. Watching her grow as an athlete and a student inspired them to create a scholarship to help future athletes with similar goals and attributes.

 

“I am so honored by this I don’t know what to say,” said the emotional senior.

 

The Ziereck’s hope is to inspire others to follow in Daphanie’s footsteps.

 

Daphanie finished first in the WCC for points scored in the 2007-08 conference season. The talented guard was named to the first team All –WCC this season.  She broke the Career All-Time Steal record for the Waves and notched her name on several All-Time performance lists for Pepperdine. She was ranked as No.13 in scoring for all Division I NCAA players this season. Kennedy hopes to play professional basketball prior to beginning her career in integrated  marketing communications.