Students entering college are urged to make the most of their four years because they go quickly. From the playing field to the classroom to the community, University of Delaware field hockey player Michaela Scanlon absolutely made the most of her four years. 

With countless hours of community service, a double major, several times on the Dean’s List and a national championship under her belt, Scanlon was honored by the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) as a 2019 CAA Leadership and Sport Excellence Award winner. 

“For our program and our coaching staff, we want to thank Michaela for leading, serving and supporting others within our team, within the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, during summer camps, within our Blue Hen Athletic Department, and of course the many community service events she was an active part of such as UDance, Reps for Kids, and Special Olympics of Delaware,” said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. “The people that Michaela will come across in her future will be fortunate to enjoy her leadership, desire to serve and her big smile!”

Scanlon is the first ever winner of a CAA Leadership and Sport Excellence Award from the University of Delaware. 

Last month, Scanlon graduated cum laude from the University as a double major in Biology and Neuroscience. She was a team captain for the field hockey program, where she was a part of three conference championships and the program’s first-ever national championship in 2016. 

She was a two-time Vice President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, a three-time member of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad and piled up thousands of hours of community service during her four years as a Blue Hen. 

“The first day I saw Michaela on the recruiting trails I knew she had strong leadership potential,” said van de Kerkhof. “She enjoyed and had a desire to look after others and wanted others to do well and have a positive experience. Her energy, passion, work ethic, humor and smile were contagious. During the years she represented the Blue Hens her desire to lead, to pay it forward, to serve the community only grew stronger and bigger.”