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RICHMOND, Ky. – Recent Eastern Kentucky University graduate Cassie Smith has been named a nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. Smith starred on the EKU soccer team over the past four seasons.
 
Established in 1991 and now in its 27th year, the NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers.
 
Smith is arguably the greatest offensive player in EKU soccer history. The native of Ashburn, Virginia graduated as the Colonels' career record holder in goals (21) and points (48). As a senior, she was voted first team All-OVC after scoring seven goals and leading Eastern to a share of its first-ever OVC regular season crown.
 
Smith graduated in May with a degree in public health and a concentration in community health. She carried a cumulative GPA of 3.28. She was a member of the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll, Dean's List, President's List and a student representative on the Department of Health Promotions and Administration Academic Practices Committee.
 
Smith also volunteered over 100 hours of community service during her time as a Colonel student-athlete, working at places such as Morning Pointe Senior Living Community, the Special Olympics, the National Kidney Foundation and the Wear Red Event at the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center.
 
Next, conferences will select up to two conference nominees each from the pool of school nominees. The Woman of the Year selection committee, made up of representatives from the NCAA membership, will then choose the top 30 honorees - 10 from each division.
 
From the top 30, the selection committee determines the top three honorees from each division and announces the nine finalists in September. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics then chooses the 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year from those nine.
 
The top 30 honorees will be recognized and the 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced at the annual award ceremony Oct. 22 in Indianapolis.