Leonard Named NAC Woman of the Year
The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) is pleased to announce that Alyssa Leonard of Castleton has been selected as the winner of its Woman of the Year award in a vote of the league's athletic directors. A four-year standout women's basketball player for the Spartans, Leonard will be presented the award at a to-be-determined date during the 2014-15 academic year.
"Alyssa began her career in the NAC as a standout, earning Rookie of the Year and finished in an even more stellar way as Player of the Year," said NAC Commissioner Julie Muller. "But her athletic accolades tell only part of the story; of perhaps even greater significance has been her commitment to service. She, no doubt, exemplifies the spirit of Division III through her actions on and off the court."
Leonard capped a historic career at Castleton with a senior season to remember, earning NAC Player of the Year as well as spots on the ECAC, NEWBA, and d3hoops.com All-Region teams. In four seasons Leonard finished her career fourth all-time in scoring (1,375), sixth in rebounds (640), and fourth in assists (375), while also becoming the only player in program history to achieve at least 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, and 300 assists in a career. A four-time all-conference honoree, Leonard was also the league Rookie of the Year in 2011 and played an integral role in a pair of conference titles. Out of a possible 117 team games, Leonard started and appeared in 114 including 31 in each of the last two seasons as Castleton earned an ECAC title in 2013 and advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 in 2014.
"The mark that Alyssa has left on our program is forever lasting," said Castleton Head Basketball Coach Tim Barrett. "This award caps a phenomenal career as one of the most decorated student-athletes in Castleton history. She has excelled on the court, in the classroom, and in our community. She is one of the finest student-athletes I have ever had the privilege to coach."
In the classroom Leonard earned Dean's List during every one of her four years. She was a two-time member of the NAC All-Academic Team and earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors this past year. She was honored as the 2014 Outstanding Student in Physical Education and has twice won the Castleton's John Young Memorial Award. Additionally, Leonard has served as a Community Advisor in the residence halls for the past two years and held the position of president of the Sports Administration Club this past year. Over the past three years she has also been involved with the Special Olympics and Right To Play, an organization that provides opportunities for children to participate in sports and recreation in underprivileged countries. In her three years with Right To Play at Castleton the club has raised nearly $20,000 for the organization, and in 2012 set a world record by playing more than 41 consecutive hours of dodgeball.
Associate Dean for Athletics and Recreation at Castleton, Deanna Tyson, added "Alyssa has been one of the most impressive student-athletes at Castleton during my tenure. Not just her athleticism, but as an over-all student-athlete. She has been involved in so many ways on our campus, and has been my 'go-to' student-athlete for so many things over the past four years."
The NAC Woman of the Year award is modeled after the NCAA's Woman of the Year program, which honors graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.
The NAC Woman of the Year is also nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year. The NCAA selection committee will choose the top 10 honorees in each division. From among those 30 candidates, the selection committee will determine the top three in each division. Finally, the members of the CWA will vote from among the top nine finalists to determine the 2014 NCAA Woman of the Year, which is announced in October at a dinner in Indianapolis.