Champion on the field and in the classroom wins MACDA post-grad scholarship

When recent grad Nicole Hill returns to McDaniel this fall to pursue her master’s in human resource development, she’ll bring with her the Division II and III Maryland Association of College Directors of Athletics (MACDA) scholarship for her superior work in the classroom and on the field.

Currently an intern with the PGA Tour as the volunteer coordinator for the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship, the Business Administration major from Bowie, Md., plans to pursue a career in sports management.

“I look forward to remaining a part of the McDaniel community for an additional two years,” Hill says. “I am pursuing this degree because it will help me understand organizations, and that will be a benefit no matter where my career path takes me.”

Success is nothing new to this four-year starter as forward on the women’s soccer team and in her one year in indoor track and field. Hill was an Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Award recipient in 2015, was named to the Dean's List four times, four-time Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll member and was tabbed CoSIDA Academic All-District as a junior. She also was an NCAA Ethnic Minority Grant recipient and has done extensive volunteer work with the Boys' and Girls' Club, Hoodies for Kids Project, Operation Christmas and FCA.

Hill established a new program record with 34 career assists and finished her career second all-time with 96 career points and fifth all-time with 31 career goals. She was a four-time all-conference performer, including earning a first-team nod as a junior and senior. She was also a second-team all-region honoree in 2015 and 2016.

In one season of indoor track and field, Hill won the silver medal in the 60 at the conference championship. She was also part of the 4x200-meter relay that qualified for the ECAC championship, turning in a top-five all-time time. She also ranks fourth all-time in the 60.

Women’s soccer coach Sandy Lagana, named CC coach of the Year in 2016, 2015 and 2013 and NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year in 2013 for building the program to national and regional rankings, has cheered Hill on since her first days at McDaniel.

“I am so proud of Nicole for receiving the MACDA Postgraduate scholarship,” says Lagana, who finished her fifth season in 2016, guiding the team to its fourth 10-plus win season, a regular season conference title and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16. “Nicole’s commitment to success on the field and in the classroom is a true representation of what it means to be a Division III student-athlete. I am excited to have her back on the Hill this fall for graduate school.”

Hill hopes her story serves as an inspiration for student-athletes who may be discouraged.

“I truly believe that my McDaniel College soccer experience played an integral role in the woman that I have become,” says Hill. “Being a part of a program that rose through the ranks to be as successful as we were was a huge character builder for me and it also allowed me to be a part of something that I could always be proud of.

“More importantly, I am proud that Coach Sandy will always have a success story to tell about the freshman who came in and wanted to quit, but went on to do great things for anyone who may be discouraged when they begin their journey. I am very blessed and I thank God for each and every blessing along the way.”