For the second consecutive year, a student-athlete has been named a semifinalist for one of the NCAA’s most prestigious awards, as Jackie Thomas is one of 30 semifinalists for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, announced recently by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
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 during the 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 graduated with honors in June, earning her degree in sociology. She will begin the Masters of Teaching program at Seattle University this fall and earned the Distinguished Graduate Award last spring for her contributions to the campus community. In June, Thomas was named a member of the women’s basketball first team of the 2008 Arthur Ashe, Jr., Sports Scholar Annual Awards by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
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.
“The accomplishments of student-athletes like Jackie Thomas prove why has become one of the premier independent universities in the Pacific Northwest,” Dr. Isiaah Crawford, Seattle University Provost, said. “The national recognition that has enjoyed over the past two years because of this award will help attract similar student-athletes to the university in future years. I congratulate Jackie for achieving this level of excellence and wish her well as this process moves forward.”
This is the second consecutive year that a female student-athlete has reached the Top 30 semifinal level for the Woman of the Year Award. Last year Ana Gutierrez advanced all the way to becoming one of nine finalists for the honor. is one of only five schools to have a representative reach at least the Top 30 in back-to-back years since the NCAA switched from nominees by state to nominees by conference. , , (), and all had back-to-back honorees in 2006 and 2007.
The NCAA Woman of the Year Award honors senior student-athletes for their collegiate achievements in service, leadership, athletics, and academics. The top nine honorees will be honored and the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced at a dinner in Indianapolis, Ind., on Oct. 19.