TACOMA, Wash. (Courtesy of Pacific Lutheran University)– Pacific Lutheran women’s swimming captain and former Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president Melissa Dean has been nominated for the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year Award.
Dean, who recently graduated with her Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting, was the 2016 Lute Career Achievement Award winner for her four years as a Lute swimmer. During her career in the pool, Dean was a part of three Northwest Conference championship teams. She ended her career as an eight-time conference champion having held five school records. She has earned 20 all-conference honors for race results.
Out of the pool, Dean has been an active member of SAAC, serving as vice president and president. She also represented PLU as the NWC SAAC vice president during the 2015-16 year. Under her leadership, SAAC was honored as the Service Program of the Year by the PLU Student Life Division based on their on-going relationship with Metro Parks Special Olympics. As well, SAAC was recognized as the Student Service Organization of the Year by the university’s Center for Community Engagement & Service. In addition, the group was nominated for Student Organization of the Year.
The NCAA Women of the Year Award honors graduating female college athletes who have completed their eligibility and have distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership.
CLICK HERE – Complete List of NCAA Woman of the Year Nominees
This year, a total of 517 student-athletes were nominated for the award. There were 231 nominees from Division I, 117 nominees from Division II and 169 from Division III.
The 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year award winner will be announced at a banquet in Indianapolis on October 16.
