BALTIMORE, Md. (May 1, 2013) – William and Mary lacrosse sophomore attacker Ellen Shaffrey has been selected as one of five finalists for the 2013 Yeardley Reynolds Love (“YRL”) Unsung Hero Award.
Established in 2011, the YRL Unsung Hero Award celebrates the selfless acts of initiative and commitment performed by Division I lacrosse players. These outstanding student-athletes are recognized based on the following criteria: dedication, integrity, humility, hard work, community service, leadership, kindness and sportsmanship. The award winners (one female, one male) will be announced in late-May, leading up to the culmination of the NCAA lacrosse season. In addition to Shaffrey, this year's female finalists include Jackie Mercer (Temple), Molly Shawhan (Notre Dame), Zoe Skinner (North Carolina) and Alex Zaugra (Delaware).
Shaffrey has dedicated her life to making a difference on and off of the field by her relentless hard work. An outstanding student, Shaffrey maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is an exceptionally well-rounded student-athlete. In addition to establishing herself as one of the Tribe's top players, she volunteers her time at the University of Virginia conducting research and working on analyzing data to improve clinical care of patients post surgery. She is pursuing an opportunity next semester to work at a health clinic to get an up-close and personal experience with medicine and patients. Shaffrey had demonstrated leadership not only by example, but also with her words of encouragement and competitiveness. In the game of lacrosse, she is always striving for excellence by training outside of practice to work on her stick skills, shooting, body language and vocal strengths as a leader.
“We would like to thank every lacrosse program that submitted a nomination,” said Sharon Robinson, a member of the YRL Unsung Hero Award selection committee. “We were so impressed with the student-athletes that were nominated and wish we could reward them all. It is so reassuring to see how these future leaders are contributing to their communities in a positive manner. Our goal is to continue growing this award as well as its prestige in college athletics, so we can celebrate the good in college athletics and continue to honor Yeardley's legacy.”
Formerly given to lacrosse players in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the award became open to all Division I programs this year. The award recognizes accomplishments of student-athletes who help their team achieve success in ways that may not be measured in goals, saves or ground balls. The honor is meaningful because it places value on characteristics that are often undervalued in the competitively charged environment of college athletics.
The 2013 YRL Unsung Hero Award finalists will be represented on the award's website, www.JoinOneLove.org/UnsungHeroes, and in the June issue of Inside Lacrosse magazine, the award's media partner.
