NCAA Honors Former Satellite Soccer Star With Award
By Space Coast Daily // December 12, 2012
Tishia Jewell Sparkles During UCF Career
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – A Brevard County soccer standout has received a prestigious national award as the top women’s student-athlete in NCAA Division 1 soccer.
University of Central Florida forward Tishia Jewell, who led the Knights to the second round of the NCAA tournament this season, has been selected as the 2012 Senior CLASS Award® winner.
Jewell is a former youth and prep soccer soccer standout from Brevard that grew up beachside and graduated from Satellite High School.
The award, chosen by a nationwide 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.
“I want to thank all the people who supported me and voted for me during the season. I am very excited and honored to win this award,” Jewell said. “It represents not only my athletic career, but my life as a part of UCF and in the community. I am also honored to leave C-USA and UCF with this accomplishment.”
During her career, Jewell has been recognized as an NSCAA/Adidas Collegiate Scholar All-American and UCF’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
The daughter of Malcolm and Telethia Jewelll of Satellite Beach, Tishia carries a 3.75 grade point average and is pursuing two master’s degrees after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2011.
She was also named to the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District IV first team and is a two-time member of the Conference USA All-Academic first team. As the lead volunteer at the Creative School for Children, a youth soccer coach, and a volunteer at The Haven for Children and the Women’s Center in Brevard, Jewell has recorded countless hours of community service.
“This award is very prestigious, and it is awesome that it recognizes student-athletes not only in their achievements on the field, but off the field as well,” UCF head coach Amanda Cromwell said. “Tishia’s academics and contributions to society have been a relevant part of her experience here at UCF. Compared to a lot of student-athletes around the country, she set herself apart, but she was in great company with the list of finalists. We are very proud of her. It’s a very special award for a special student-athlete.”
Jewell has been an NSCAA All-American and a two-time All-Central Region selection. She was Soccer America’s Most Valuable Player as a junior. She has been a force in C-USA as a three-time all-conference honoree and an offensive player of the year.
During the 2012 regular season, Jewell led the team and conference in assists and captured UCF’s school record for career assists. UCF finished the regular season with a 17-4-2 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the sixth consecutive year.
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 focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
