Shelly Milks ’13, a three-time All-American field hockey standout, is one of 30 women selected from a group of more than 450 nominees for the 2013 NCAA Woman of the Year award. Shelly is currently studying in LC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
A group of ten women from each of the three divisions make up the top 30, spanning various NCAA sports. In September, three finalists from each division will be selected to make up the nine finalists for the award. The 2013 Woman of the Year will be announced at an annual ceremony in Indianapolis on Oct. 20 that all 30 nominees will attend.
“Shelly is a very special young lady with incredible talent,” said LC director of athletics, Dr. Jack Toms. “The number of awards she has garnered and the success of the team in her four years speak to her dedication, hard work, and leadership.”
The top 30 honorees reflect the pillars of the Woman of the Year award, with outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership.
- Cumulatively, the top 30 earned a 3.79 grade-point average and nearly 50 Academic All-America honors.
- The top 30 earned 12 national championships (individual and team) and more than 80 All-America honors.
- The top 30 volunteered for 365 organizations during their college careers.
- Many served as team captains and held leadership positions in various campus and community organizations.
Shelly encompasses all of these attributes, finishing her undergraduate degree with a 3.97 grade-point average while studying exercise physiology with a minor in Spanish. She was recipient of the 2013 NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship and was a member of several honor societies including Phi Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Sigma Iota, and Phi Eta Sigma. She was also the first Hornet since Lauren Askey in 2008 to be honored by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) with the prestigious Marjorie Berkley Award.
An exercise physiology major, Shelly was named ODAC Player of the Year three consecutive times (2010-12), University of Lynchburg Female Athlete of the Year three times (2011-13), All-South Region Player of the Year in 2011, and a three-time All-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches’ Association (NFHCA).
A team captain in 2012, Milks’ leadership extended beyond the playing field, evidenced by her recognition as a Leadership Award recipient by the Lynchburg Student Ambassadors. She served as a student ambassador and admissions tour guide for two years. She participated in several service projects including the Salvation Army and Toys for Tots, as well as serving as a clothes closet fundraiser and organizer for two years at the Newington Baptist Church. Shelly is also a musician and was a violinist with the LC Wind Symphony and Orchestra for four years.
The top 30 honorees can be found here.
