Jackie Thomas (), soon to graduate from Seattle University after a four-year career filled with accolades for her accomplishments on the court, in the classroom, and in the community, is one of two nominees from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference for the 18th annual NCAA Woman of the Year Award, announced Wednesday by the conference office.
Thomas started 26 of the 27 games she appeared in during the 2007-08 season, averaging 7.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. She became ’s all-time steals leader, male or female, finishing with 234 career steals, and her 84 steals this season is a single season record. She also set GNAC career records for most steals and steals per game in conference games with 158 thefts for 2.93 steals per game in conference play.
A three-time Academic All-GNAC selection, Thomas will graduate with honors in just over a week, earning her degree in sociology. She has been accepted into the Masters of Teaching program at and earned the Distinguished Graduate Award earlier this spring for her contributions to the campus community.
In the community, Thomas has helped numerous people through her work with organizations such as the Rotary Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Minorities in the Community, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. She is a two-time recipient of the athletic department’s Mission Award for exemplifying the mission of through her actions.
Thomas is being nominated for the Woman of the Year Award along with volleyball player Courtney Schneider of , who capped an All-American career by helping her team reach the finals of the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championship. This is the second consecutive year that a female student-athlete has been nominated by the GNAC for this award. Last year Ana Gutierrez advanced all the way to becoming one of nine finalists for the honor.
The NCAA Woman of the Year Award honors senior student-athletes for their collegiate achievements in service, leadership, athletics, and academics. Later this summer 30 finalists, 10 from each division, will be named. The top 10 honorees will be honored and the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced at a dinner in , on Oct. 19.