BOSTON, Mass. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference is pleased to announce that Devan Meeker (Bantam, Conn.) of Mount Ida College has been named the 2011-12 GNAC Sportswoman of the Year. Meeker, a rising senior at Mount Ida, is a member of both the Mustangs women’s soccer and softball programs.

The two-sport athlete enjoyed a productive fall campaign as the Mustangs main goalkeeper, posting a 2.44 goals against average to go along with a .788 save percentage. In the spring, Meeker was the ace of the softball squad with 12 wins and a 3.59 ERA.

Meeker’s nominator describes her as a true class act, not only on the sports fields but in the classroom and as a person. “Meeker understands what the word sportsmanship truly means, as that is portrayed through her passion and commitment to everything that she does.  Not only does she play two sports, but she is the captain for both the soccer and softball teams, is an all-conference softball player, as well as earning MVP accolades for the softball team.  All of these accolades do not go to her head, however.  She is truly humble and always puts her teammates in front of her, hoping to see them succeed before her.  This is a quality that clearly has not gone unnoticed as she has earned the respect of the entire Mount Ida community, earning her the Athletic department’s sportsmanship award this past year, as well as the respect from other teams in the conference for her sportsmanlike behavior.”

Commissioner Walsh will recognize the 2011-12 GNAC Sportswoman of the Year Award recipient at the 2012 Professional Development Seminar on August 8.

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference is an NCAA Division III conference made up of 13 institutions with nine associate members. In 2012-13, the GNAC will sponsor championships in 17 sports for men and women. The GNAC also enjoys outstanding professional partnerships with Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine Division, Doubletree Hotels, Fenway Printers, New Balance, Reading Trophy and Presto Sports.