MARLEYNA BUSTAMANTE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS, a senior from Donna, Texas, has been selected the SCAC Character & Community Female Student-Athlete-of-the-Week for the week ending January 11, 2015.
At Dallas, Bustamante is majoring in business and currently involved on campus with marketing and global entrepreneurship. The senior explains, “The University of Dallas has a very rigorous academic program, especially their business ones, so I felt I could really excel in that.”
Bustamante boasts a passion for working with kids and sharing her enthusiasm for the sport she’s committed to at UD. “I have been fortunate enough to share my passion of basketball with others over the summers, because usually I will assist in camps and tournaments,” the four-year player states. “Usually I help with showing the younger ones basic skills.”
One of the notable camps that Bustamante has served the community at her former Elementary School, South Pharr Elementary in Pharr, Texas, where the guard remains connected with many teachers that remain at the institution.
“What I love the most is being a camp instructor, because I love the game of basketball and I love kids. It is the perfect combination to be able to show them that they can further develop their skills…and just really be a role model for them,” Bustamante concludes.
Bustamante has played all four years with the University of Dallas women’s basketball team, lettering in three of them. The guard has started all 12 games for the Navy and White this campaign and ranks third on the squad averaging 10.5 points-per-game.
Bustamante currently totals seven contests where she has marked double-digit scoring performances, including the conference-opener two weekends ago in a 69-68 victory at Austin College. The Donna, Texas, native produced a season-best 19 points. She also is shooting 79.5 percent (35-of-44) from the free throw line, which ranks the highest among members of the team attempting at least 30 shots.
The Character & Community award, established prior to the 2009-10 academic year, is an effort by the SCAC to honor the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.