McCormack Selected as a Top 30 honoree for the NCAA 2016 Woman of the Year Award
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami women’s diver Kara McCormack was named one of the top 30 honorees for the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. The honor was announced today following the decision from the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee.
A record 517 school nominees were submitted this year, which was whittled down to 142 conference nominees. The committee selected 30 women from that pool – 10 from each of the three NCAA divisions – representing 13 sports and a host of undergraduate majors, including biology, accounting, criminal justice, education, engineering and computer science.
“Kara’s commitment to academics, athletics, community service and leadership are truly amazing,” said Director of Athletics Blake James. “This is a deserving honor for a special individual, who has showcased an unwavering dedication to the University of Miami community.”
McCormack earned the prestigious honor thanks to an impressive collegiate career that saw her excel in the areas of academics, athletics, community service and leadership.
As an athlete, McCormack was one of three Miami women’s divers to qualify for the 2016 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. McCormack competed in 1-meter (258.75) and 3-meter (282.75) dives at the 2016 NCAAs after missing all of 2014-15 while recovering from surgery. She also was a three-time All-American and was named the 2013 ACC Women’s Diver of the Year.
In the classroom, the Austin, Texas native holds both graduate and undergraduate degrees from Miami. She is currently pursuing her Ph. D with a focus on medical field research. In addition, McCormack is a four-time member of the All-ACC Swimming and Diving Academic Team and the ACC Honor Roll.
Equally impressive was McCormack’s work in the community as she served as Miami’s ACC Student Athletic Advisory Council representative. McCormack also spent a summer volunteering in Vietnam where she participated in the Coach for College program. Her other activities include working with the “pen pal” program at a local elementary school and assisting with the National Parks Service.
“Kara is so deserving of this recognition,” said Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA Jennifer Strawley. “She is the definition of a true student-athlete, who throughout her career excelled in all phases of her life. I could not be more proud to see her efforts recognized by the NCAA with this prestigious honor.”
The selection committee will name nine finalists – three women from each division – in late September. From the nine finalists, the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics will select the 2016 Woman of the Year, who will be announced Oct. 16 at a ceremony in Indianapolis.
“This year’s top 30 honorees have achieved remarkable things during their time in college,” said Sarah Hebberd, chair of the Woman of the Year selection committee and director of compliance at the University of Georgia. “They are model student-athletes for generations of young women to come, and we are immeasurably proud of their accomplishments.”
