PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) athletics department's countdown continues with the Hawks' Ishaq Pitt (Brooklyn. N.Y.) winning the 2014 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year award.

Pitt learned of the win while attending an annual symposium organized by Diverse Issues In Higher Education magazine, where he received the honor in a surprise announcement during an awards luncheon that recognized some of the nation's top student-athletes. Pitt was among the 16 finalists after accumulating a 3.94 grade-point-average (GPA).

He enrolled at UMES thinking he wanted to earn a business degree, but switched majors after taking an accounting class his freshman year.

"I always loved math and Sudoku and stuff like that," he told The Daily Times, a local newspaper. "Balancing the accounts was like a puzzle or a game and I like the way it was and the way it all came together."

Last season, he was also nominated to the 2014 All State NABC Good Works Team. On the court, Pitt played all 30 contests with 13 starts. The hybrid player finished second on the squad in total rebounds (130) and rebounds-per-game (4.3).

Among previous winners is Russell Wilson, quarterback for the reigning Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks.

2013-14 UMES Top Moment Countdown Schedule

Moment #1: Friday, August 29

Moment #2: Thursday, August 28

Moment #3: Wednesday, August 27

Moment #4: Tuesday, August 26

Moment #5: PITT WINS ARTHUR ASHE AWARD

Moment #6: LADY HAWKS UPSETS SPARTANS AT MEAC TOURNEY

Moment #7: EVANS ACKNOWLEDGED AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Moment #8: SIMON'S RECORD-BREAKING SEASON

Moment #9: BULL & CAMPBELL EARN NATIONAL AWARDS

Moment #10: LONG'S GAME-WINNER OVER GEORGE MASON

Moment #11: ALVARADO & BUJA NAMED ALL-AMERICA

Moment #12: UMES CLAIMS FIFTH STRAIGHT MEAC GSR TITLE

Moment #13: VEVERKA SHATTERS PROGRAM RECORD

Moment #14: COLLINS & RENS ERAS BEGIN

Moment #15: SOFTBALL MAKES ESPN DEBUT

The 2013-14 UMES athletic season was a memorable one filled with incredible moments, championship performances and individual achievements on and off the playing field. To make way for the 2014-15 season, UMES athletics will count down 15 top moments from a year ago, based on subjective opinion by UMES administrative staff, coaches and student-athletes. The list not only recognizes academic commitment and winning, but also the spirit and pride infused into the campus. A new moment will be revealed each weekday, counting down to the start of competition for the year on Friday, August 29th.

For complete recaps, results and news of Hawk athletics, please visit www.umeshawks.com.