RU's Rhodes selected 2012-13 Big South female Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Megan Rhodes

Megan Rhodes, Big South female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Radford senior women's soccer standout Megan Rhodes added to her already impressive resume as she was named as the female 2012-13 Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year Tuesday.

Rhodes, a 2013 recipient of the George A. Christenberry Award -- the Big South’s highest academic honor for having a 4.0 grade point average during her career, is the second RU female student-athlete (Chelsea Kelley 2010-11) in the last three seasons and the first Big South women’s soccer player to receive this award. Men’s soccer standout, Patrick Colas (2005-06), was the first Highlander to earn the distinction.

"I am incredibly honored to be receiving this award," said Rhodes, a native of Blacksburg. "I never imagined I would be presented with so many unique opportunities throughout my collegiate academic and athletic careers. I am very blessed to have had a wonderful group of coaches, mentors, and teammates to work with over the past four years."

Rhodes graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in elementary education and Spanish. She will continue her education at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody School of Education in the Learning and Instruction graduate program.

Megan Rhodes in action against UNC.

Megan Rhodes in action against UNC.

"This award is recognition of one of the most impressive students I have had the honor to know,” said RU President Penelope W. Kyle. “Throughout her four years at RU, Megan defined academic, athletic and personal excellence.  The epitome of ‘scholar-athlete-citizen,’ she set the standard – in the classroom, on the athletic field and as a leader among fellow students. She constantly strived for self-improvement and the betterment of fellow teammates and students. I cannot think of a better Highlander to select as the Big South Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. I know she will continue to achieve great things in her academic and professional careers,” added Kyle.

The Athletics Department’s Senior Leadership Award recipient and two-time RU Most Outstanding Student was named a John Wooden Citizen Cup semifinalist, an award given to one collegiate and one professional athlete who has made the greatest positive influence in the lives of others.

In addition, Rhodes served as the student representative on the Radford University Board of Visitors (2011-12) in which it was her duty to report the general feeling of the student body to Board members each meeting. In doing so, Rhodes focused on making Radford a tobacco-free campus by her involvement with students and faculty to create a taskforce to address this issue. She also worked to develop and introduce a community service component to the first semester experience of students.

During her final three years, Rhodes was a certified academic coach, tutoring students and student-athletes in various subjects, including those preparing to take the Praxis I exam. She also spent three weeks (May 2010) in Cape Coast, Ghana volunteering with The Foundation for Economic Development and Education Promotion Basic School. Her role was to teach and expose students (ages 2-14) to new and exciting information about the world we live in.

"Every day I preach to my student-athletes to make the most of their experience in every aspect while at Radford," said head women’s soccer coach Ben Sohrabi. “Megan has truly done that. In addition, she has represented our team, the athletic department, and the school in such a positive manner. I wish her the best of luck as she pursues her graduate degree at Vanderbilt. She has left a lasting impression on our team.”

A two-year starter and captain for the two-time defending Big South Champions, Rhodes was named to the 2012 Big South All-Tournament team and scored the game-winning goal in the league’s 2011 title match. The 2012 Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year and 2011 Academic All-District selection played in 62 matches and made 39 starts over her four years. During that time, Rhodes accumulated seven goals and two assists for the Highlanders.

The Scholar-Athletes of the Year are voted on by the Big South Sports Information Directors from a pool of each sport’s Scholar-Athlete winners.

RU’s Big South Scholar-Athletes of the Year:
Patrick Colas (Men’s Soccer) – 2005-06
Chelsea Kelley (Softball) – 2010-11
Megan Rhodes (Women’s Soccer) – 2012-13

Jul 16, 2013
Brian Stanley
(540) 831-6884
bmstanley@radford.edu