FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2014
WINTHROP, Mass. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference is pleased to announce that Rachelle Messuri of Saint Joseph's College of Maine has been named the 2014 GNAC Woman of the Year, as announced by the league office on Tuesday.
A women's lacrosse standout for the Monks, the Atkinson, N.H. native was also a field hockey student-athlete. Messuri will now be put forth as the GNAC's nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.
In the classroom, Messuri posted a remarkable 3.94 GPA on her way to earning her Marketing degree along with a minor in Sports Management. Among her academic achievements, she was a two-time GNAC All-Academic Team member and a four-time NFHCA All-Academic Team selection.
Before graduating Summa Cum Laude, she was a team captain in both sports and a four-year member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at Saint Joseph's, which included serving a two-year stint as vice president. She was also named the department's Female Athlete of the Year in 2014 and was the recipient of the 2014 Saint Joseph's Marketing Department Award.
On the lacrosse field, Messuri was a key part of the Monks' squad last season. Her defensive prowess helped lead her team to the GNAC Championship contest and earned her 2014 GNAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. She was also named an ECAC Division III New England Women's Lacrosse First Team All-Star. A two-time All-GNAC First Team selection, the midfielder is currently the school's all-time leader in both ground balls (230) and caused turnovers (87).
"Being in a leadership position is a consistent reminder that you are a role model to students, as well as fellow athletes," said Messuri. "I have become the person I am today by continuously striving to be the best person I can, on and off the field, as I know I need to set a positive example to everyone watching, especially underclassmen. Nothing has been more fulfilling than having a freshman look me in the eyes and say, 'I look up to you.'"
Messuri has also participated on panels to help guide prospective student-athletes, and has also been an advocate for women in sports.
"I have volunteered in different coaching roles to try and help grow women's athletics, as well as put together plans to grow feeder programs in Southern Maine for women's sports," added Messuri.
Messuri's other community service efforts included volunteering at Saint Joseph's College Farm and Catherine's Cupboard Food Pantry. She also spent two years volunteering for the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League (AHL) assisting with game operations and customer service, and two years as an intramural supervisor on campus.
The three other finalists for the GNAC Woman of the Year award were Lianna Carrero (women's basketball) from Albertus Magnus College, Erin McAndrews (softball) of Suffolk University and Rivier University's Nicole Peacock (women's volleyball/softball). For more information on the finalists, please click here.
Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 12 member institutions across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 17 championships for thousands of student-athletes, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement.
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