Tyler ButlerRICK BONNELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP TO SHIMEI RICKS-COOK
January 29, 2025 – The Charlotte Hornets Foundation announced tonight that Shimei Ricks-Cook, a journalism student at Fayetteville State University, has been selected as the recipient of the fourth annual Rick Bonnell Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship awards $10,000 annually to a journalism student enrolled at a North Carolina college or university and was created to honor the legacy and impact of the late Charlotte Observer beat writer Rick Bonnell. Ricks-Cook was recognized in an on-court presentation during tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets alongside Bonnell’s children, Claire and Jack, and Executive Director of the Charlotte Hornets Foundation Betsy Mack.
“We are thrilled to award the fourth annual Rick Bonnell Memorial Scholarship to Shimei Ricks-Cook,” said Mack. “Shimei’s commitment, integrity and passion for journalism mirror the qualities that Rick exhibited throughout his award-winning career, and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes in the future.”
Ricks-Cook, who maintains a 4.0 GPA, hosts his own talk show, ‘What’s Hot With Shimei Cook,’ serves as a reporter and color commentator for Fayetteville State’s sports network and contributes to the school’s Bronco-iRadio.com and Broncos Television productions. He gained experience in similar roles during his time at North Carolina Central University. Ricks-Cook developed a passion for journalism in middle school and plans to pursue a master’s degree in journalism upon graduation from Fayetteville State. After gaining industry experience, his goal is to become a professor in order to encourage and mentor the next generation of journalists.
“Year after year, we are impressed by the number of talented students who apply for the Rick Bonnell Memorial Scholarship,” said Claire and Jack Bonnell. “In a highly competitive applicant pool, Shimei stood out from the other candidates. Shimei’s drive, commitment to academics and development of intentional career goals were both impressive and inspiring. We are proud to select Shimei as the fourth recipient of the Rick Bonnell Memorial Scholarship and wish him the best as he pursues his career in journalism.”
Bonnell, an award-winning sportswriter for more than 33 years at the Charlotte Observer whose coverage of the Hornets spanned from the franchise’s inaugural 1988-89 season through the 2020-21 campaign, passed away on June 1, 2021, at the age of 63.
