NATIONAL ACADEMIC AWARDS AND STUDENT-ATHLETE HONOR ROLL

Below is a listing of the major national awards and other academic recognition that Villanova student-athletes have won over the years.

Rhodes Scholars

2013 Jessica Wamala Women's Basketball
1994 Becky Spies Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
1992 Nnenna Lynch Women's Cross Country/Track & Field

Fulbright Scholars

2019 Mackenzie Bowden Rowing
2019 Ellen Cayer Rowing
2019 Briggs Mroz Rowing
2019 Mary Spillane Women's Swimming & Diving
2018 Mackenzie Niness Women's Swimming & Diving
2016 Tom Trainer Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
2016 Emma Pettit  (alternate) Volleyball
2014 Samuel Ellison Men's Track & Field
2004 Ryan Costella  (declined) Men's Swimming & Diving

Truman Scholarship

2012 Jessica Wamala Women's Basketball

NCAA Woman of the Year

The NCAA Woman of the Year Award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate female student-athlete.

1992-93 Nnenna Lynch Women's Cross Country/Track & Field

The Margaret Wade Trophy

The Margaret Wade Trophy is presented each year to the nation's top collegiate women's basketball player.

1986-87 Shelly Pennefather

ECAC Award of Valor

1991 Jennifer Peacock Field Hockey
1990 Jeremy Worrell Football

NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Winners

Year Name Sport
2017 Patrick Tiernan Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
2015 Stephanie Schappert Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
2010 Nicole Schappert Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
2007 Lauren Campanelli Field Hockey
2004 Ryan Costella Men's Swimming & Diving
1999 Liz Lauwaert Women's Swimming & Diving
1995 David Herr Baseball
1995 Becky Spies Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
1994 Lisa Flood Women's Swimming & Diving
1993 Nnenna Lynch Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
1991 Carol Haux Women's Track & Field
1989 Rich Spugnardi Football
1988 David Echeverria Men's Swimming & Diving
1983 John Pinone Men's Basketball
1983 Carlton Young Men's Track & Field
1980 Donald Paige Men's Track & Field
1978 Glenn Bogue Men's Track & Field
1977 David Graziano Football
1972 Thomas Aretz Men's Swimming & Diving
1972 Marty Liquori Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
1970 Andrew O'Reilly Men's Cross Country/Track & Field

NCAA Elite 90 Award

The NCAA Elite 90 Award is presented annually to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average at each of the NCAA Championship events. The award was first presented during the 2009-10 championship seasons and is awarded at the site of the NCAA finals in each of the 90 NCAA sponsored national championships in all divisions.

Year Name Sport Major GPA
2016 Bella Burda Women's Cross Country Biology 4.00
2009 Will Thompson FCS Football Accounting 3.92

NCAA Top Eight Award

The NCAA Top Eight Award is presented at the end of each academic year to the top eight collegiate student-athletes, as chosen by the NCAA. The award was formerly known as the NCAA Top Six Award until 1994.

Year Name Sport
1993-94 Lisa Flood Women's Swimming & Diving
1992-93 Nnenna Lyncy Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
1988-89 Vicki Huber Women's Cross Country/Track & Field

USILA Men's Lacrosse Scholar All-America Team

2021 Keegan Khan
2021 Owen Prybylski
2019 TJ Comizio
2018 Christian Cuccinello
2017 Jake Froccaro
2017 Devin McNamara
2016 Jack Curran
2014 John LoCascio
2012 Matt Bell

NSCAA Women's Soccer Academic All-American

2008 Erin Hardiman Third Team

NSCAA Women's Soccer Academic All-Region

2008 Erin Hardiman First Team
2008 Molly Williams Third Team

Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Association Academic All-Star Team

1990-91 Kerry Armen
1989-90 Jeanne O'Connor
1989-90 Taylor Teresi
1988-89 Jeanne O'Connor
1988-89 Laura Smelas
1988-89 Taylor Teresi
1987-88 Mary Beth Lennon
1987-88 Laura Smelas