May 24, 2013 - Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University senior swimmer Brienne Ryan (New Windsor, N.Y./Cornwall) was among the eight Atlantic 10 Conference nominees for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award it was announced on Thursday. Representing eight A-10 institutions and seven different sports, all eight candidates are outstanding student-athletes and leaders who play a significant role in their respective communities.
The A-10's Council of Senior Woman Administrators will choose one or two representatives from the eight candidates to represent the Atlantic 10 as the league's Woman of the Year nominee. The Conference may choose two if one of the nominees is an international student or a minority.
One of the most prestigious NCAA awards, The NCAA established the Woman of the Year Award in 1991 to celebrate the achievements of women in intercollegiate athletics. Now in its 22nd year, the award is unique because it recognizes not only the athletics achievements of outstanding young women, but also their academic achievements, community service and leadership.
NCAA member institutions from all three divisions nominated their own woman of the year. To be eligible, these women must have competed and earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and must have completed eligibility in their primary sport.
Ryan wrapped up her Fordham career by being named co-recipient of the 2013 Claire & Jack Hobbs Memorial Award, presented annually to the female athlete of the year, as well as the 2012-2013 Women's Swimming and Diving MVP.
Ryan was once again one of the most dominant performers in the Atlantic 10 conference, setting a conference record with six performer of the week awards, and becoming the fourth Ram to win multiple events at an A-10 championship, capturing both the 100- and 200-yard backstroke titles, setting the league record in the 200 event.
Ryan capped her career by competing at the NCAA championship in the backstroke events for the second straight year, the only women's swimmer to have ever done so, and was named Academic All-Atlantic 10 for the second time. She graduates holding four school records in the freestyle and backstroke events, as well as four relay records.
A two-time Atlantic 10 All-Academic and an A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll selection, Ryan graduated with a degree in Communications and Media Studies and a minor in Visual Arts. She also served as a member of the Fordham SAAC representing the Rams swimming & diving team, and has volunteered with Special Olympics. Ryan also has been a major participant and organizer in Sandy Saturday, designed to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.
