STANFORD, Calif. – Senior midfielder Andi Sullivan became Stanford's third recipient of the Senior CLASS Award, as announced Thursday by the organization.
"I am honored and humbled to receive the Senior CLASS Award," said Sullivan, who hails from Lorton, Virginia. "Soccer has brought me so many amazing opportunities, most of all the chance to be a Stanford student-athlete. I have been able to meet and befriend extraordinary people, including many of the women nominated for this award. Being with my teammates every day has been a gift I will deeply miss. My teammates are such powerful women, constantly looking to better themselves and the people around them."
Sullivan joins former women's basketball All-Americans Nnemkadi Ogwumike (2012) and Candice Wiggins (2008) as the only Cardinal to win the award. A three-year captain and four-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection, Sullivan owns a 3.293 grade-point average in symbolic systems. She is a three-time Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention, and involves herself in several community endeavors.
During her time at Stanford, she has been involved with multiple community service/outreach events including the Gardner Elementary walk-a-thon, Clinic for Female Footballers, Clinic with the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative, and Cupertino and Hillsborough AYSO programs.
Our first winner of the 2017-18 year has been announced! Congratulations to @StanfordWSoccer midfielder Andi Sullivan, winner of the 2017 Senior CLASS Award for women's soccer! https://t.co/F4QnXxaOqr pic.twitter.com/tGBGBlfAV4
— Senior CLASS Award (@SnrCLASSAward) November 30, 2017
"Andi is one of the best leaders and most competitive student-athletes that I have had the privilege to coach," said Head Coach Paul Ratcliffe. "She strives for excellence in everything she does, and this award is a testament to her hard work and determination."
The award, chosen by a vote of Division I women's soccer coaches, national soccer media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I women's soccer. In order to be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award was inspired by Duke men's basketball player Shane Battier and his decision to forego the NBA to remain in school all four years. Established in 2001, the award is presented in 10 NCAA sports and focuses on the total student-athlete, encouraging students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
First-Team Senior CLASS Award All-Americans
Alexa Ben, DePaul
Imani Dorsey, Duke
Alyssa Heintschel, Ball State
Andi Sullivan, Stanford
Martha Thomas, Charlotte
Second-Team Senior CLASS Award All-Americans
Michaela Abam, West Virginia
Alex Anthony, USC
Alexis Kiehl, Dayton
Savannah McCaskill, South Carolina
Becca Rolfe, High Point