Field Hockey Player Named America East Woman of the Year Finalist

Boston University field hockey player Sarah Hudak was named one of three finalists for the 2008 America East Woman of the Year award on June 11. A standout on the field, in the classroom, and in the community, Hudak (SAR’07,’09) contributed to one of the Terriers’ best seasons in recent history. A team captain, she helped BU claim its third straight America East title and reach the quarterfinal round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991.

After moving to the right-back position last year, Hudak was named the 2007 America East Defensive Player of the Year before wrapping up her career by earning a spot on the Dita/NFHCA All-America Third Team. She was also named to the NFHCA Northeast All-Region First Team, the America East All-Conference First Team, and the ECAC All-Star Team.

Hudak was also selected as an Academic All-American by the NFHCA and was the America East field hockey Scholar-Athlete. She earned a spot on the league’s All-Academic Team and on the Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

A four-year starter, she tallied 21 career points on 4 goals and 13 assists, but her main contributions were on the defensive end — the Terriers allowed only 1.41 goals per game during her time on the team. In 2007, BU tied for 4th in the nation in shutouts, with 9, and was ranked 11th in goals-against average, at 1.19.

As a redshirt freshman in 2004, Hudak was named to the America East All-Rookie Team. She was selected to the 2005 America East All-Championship Team after helping BU claim its first league crown since 2000.

In May 2007, she earned a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic studies, and she was recently elected by her program’s 49 classmates to represent BU at the annual American Occupational Therapy Association conference in Long Beach, Calif.

Hudak has volunteered for numerous causes, including the Community Wellness Program for People with Parkinson’s Disease at Sargent College. She has also worked with autistic children in Boston’s public school system and at the rehabilitation department at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Additionally, she ran a weekly exercise group at Youville Hospital. She was a four-year member of the Boston University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the University’s Student Occupational Therapy Association.

The three AE Woman of the Year finalists were selected from a pool of nine America East institutional nominations. To be nominated, student-athletes must have earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and competed during the 2007-08 academic year, completed intercollegiate eligibility in their primary sport by the end of the 2008 spring season or received their undergraduate degree prior to the conclusion of the spring 2008 term, and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.

The 2008 America East Woman of the Year will be announced on the conference Web site on Wednesday, June 18. BU’s Marisa Ryan (CAS’07, MED’10) was named the 2007 America East Woman of the Year.

The winner will then be forwarded to the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee. The selection committee will choose the top 10 winners in each NCAA division (I, II, and III). From among those 30 honorees, the committee will determine the top three in each division. Finally, members of the CWA will vote from among the top nine to determine the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year.