By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike

ARLINGTON, Texas - For many student-athletes at UT Arlington, the hard work put in during practice can be displayed in front of the fans during competition. For UT Arlington women's basketball player Jamaika Hughes, it has been a test of endurance to battle through setbacks.

For her perseverance, Hughes was awarded with 2016 Ben Hogan Perseverance Award for the challenges that she has faced and overcome in her attempts to return to the court.

"I was really excited because I was praying really hard for the award and really wanted," Hughes said. "It means a lot. I am going to be using the scholarship for my Master's. It is going to help me with my education."

Hughes, a transfer from Texas Tech, was approaching her first game as a Lady Maverick when an injury derailed her plans to return to the court. Having already had a complete tear of her ACL, this injury was caused by the accidental stepping on a teammates foot. The guard would face four surgeries over a 16-month period.

This meant losing out on two seasons of play and the difficult choice of having to be on the sidelines rather than facing a more severe injury.

"Regaining my bending was intense, grueling, and immensely painful," Hughes said in her essay. "At times, I dreaded the entire process. I remember going home many days from rehab just to break down crying, even melting down in other team activities. It was demoralizing as a college basketball player to have to relearn how to do the most fundamental aspects, like a layup. It seemed like every time I had progress I had another complication."

For UTA Assistant Athletic Trainer Jed Stratton, the mission has been about keeping Hughes positive during her struggle to be back to normal.

"While I never like for our athletes to endure any injury, going through this entire process with Jamaika was challenging for both of us," Stratton said. "She had to fight through a lot of unexpected adversity and overcame it healthier than ever, while also growing in character. This award is not only a testament to Jamaika, but also to all the medical staff that had a hand in her recovery."

He said that prior to the third surgery, Hughes' case was presented to a NFL traumatic knee specialist that noted how rare the injury even was at the highest level and he was surprised the athlete was able to return to their current state. The operating physician also presented to the case to legendary orthopedic Dr. James Andrews who state he wasn't even sure how he'd approach a case of its magnitude.

About the Ben Hogan Perseverance Award

In honor of Mr. Hogan's devotion to the game of golf and his determination to control his own destiny, Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine and the Ben Hogan Foundation have come together to honor athletes with the same determination.

The Ben Hogan Award of Perseverance recognizes high school and college students who have overcome adversity or injury to return and excel in their respective sport(s).

The award's namesake is the legendary Ben Hogan. Mr. Hogan dominated the game of golf and is considered one of the greatest and most revered competitors in golf history. Mr. Hogan began playing golf and working as a caddie at the age of 12. By age 17, he had turned pro and ultimately joined the PGA tour. Over the next several years, Mr. Hogan played competitively but had difficulty with an uncontrollable hook to his shot. He took a little time off from competition but eventually returned to the PGA tour in 1937 and became the tour's leading money winner in 1940, 1941, and 1942.

After serving in the Army during World War II, Mr. Hogan won his first major tournament, taking the PGA title in 1946 and then again in 1948 while also winning the U.S. Open tournament. Mr. Hogan's life took a major turn in early 1949, when he and his wife were in a horrific automobile accident where they were hit head on by a bus. Mr. Hogan suffered numerous internal injuries and fractures which would plague him for the rest of his life.

His doctors, fearing the worst, did not know if he would ever walk again, much less play golf competitively.

Through sheer determination, Mr. Hogan set out to get himself back into the game he loved. By the following year, he was playing in tournaments across the country. Just 16 months after his accident, Mr. Hogan won another U.S. Open. He again won the U.S Open in 1951 and 1953. He also won the Masters Tournament in 1951 and 1953. Mr. Hogan retired with 64 tournament victories and nine career professional major championships. In later life, Mr. Hogan spent his time playing, writing books, and managing his company. Sadly, Mr. Hogan passed away in July 1997, in Fort Worth.

The $10,000 Ben Hogan Perseverance Award will be divided equally between the athlete and the athlete's school/university, each receiving $5,000. The award must be used to fund the students' education.