Bucknell University Athletics
McCormick Named Patriot League Award of Outstanding Leadership and Character Recipient
7/14/2023 10:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Clara McCormick of the Bucknell field hockey team became the eighth student-athlete in school history to receive the Patriot League Award of Outstanding Leadership and Character, the league office announced Friday.
The Patriot League established the Award of Outstanding Leadership and Character to recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence in leadership and service while participating in Patriot League athletics. One male and one female student-athlete have been recognized annually since the award's inception in 2011-12, with ties for the women's accolade in the last two academic years.
The definition of leadership and character for the award includes but is not limited to any of the following ideals: demonstrated leadership on the "field" of competition and within the campus community; promotes a leadership vision for the betterment of one's team or teammates; mentorship of teammates; role model on campus; active participation in on-campus and/or community service projects; perseverance in overcoming hardships; demonstration of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
Graduating as a double major in political science and English/creative writing in May, McCormick was an exemplary scholar-athlete throughout her time at Bucknell. She helped lead the field hockey program to its first-ever Patriot League Championship title and a first-round win in the Spring 2021 NCAA Tournament as the starting goalkeeper. McCormick has also received numerous academic accolades, and she was a valuable member of Bucknell's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
The Pittsburgh, Pa. native's efforts in the spring 2021 season were outstanding, as she earned Patriot League All-Tournament Team honors after limiting both second-seeded American and first-seeded Boston U. to one goal each during the championship run. Both games went beyond regulation, and her performance in the shootout against the Eagles sent the Bison to the title game.
After defeating the hosting Terriers in the Patriot League Championship round, McCormick then held VCU to a single goal in the team's first NCAA Tournament win, sending the Bison to the Elite Eight to face eventual national runner-up Michigan. She allowed just two goals to the Wolverines in the finale of a historic season for the Bison.
McCormick started 40 games over three years, collecting 171 saves and posting a 2.25 goals-against average. Her 1.22 goals-against number and .857 winning percentage as a sophomore are among the best for a single season in the Bucknell record books.
Twice throughout her career, McCormick received Academic All-Patriot League Team honors, and she was an NFHCA National Academic Squad member and NFHCA Scholar of Distinction each season. Additionally, she earned a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District At-Large Team in May.
During the 2022-23 academic year, McCormick served on the SAAC Executive Board as the director of initiatives, organizing events across campus. She was also selected as a Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute Summer LEAD Fellowship member, participating in comprehensive leadership development and focusing on identifying personal values, emotional intelligence and mental resilience to aid her growth as a leader. She represented Bucknell at the 2023 Naval Academy Leadership Conference.
McCormick was an active member of the Mortar Board and Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Societies. She served the role of sports editor for The Bucknellian, Bucknell's student newspaper, and was a regular contributor to the paper throughout her four years.
Beyond campus, McCormick participated in initiatives like Read to Lead, the Turkey and Trimmings Thanksgiving Canned Goods Drive, Toys for Tots and Bucknell's Black History Month Reading Initiative in partnership with local Kelly Elementary School.
At the conclusion of her senior year, McCormick was presented Bucknell's Alvin F. Jackson, Jr. Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award, which is presented for outstanding academic and athletic achievement, and future promise as a Bucknell alum. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.94 grade-point average in May.
The 2023 Alvin F. Jackson, Jr. Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award winners
— Bucknell Athletics (@Bucknell_Bison) April 25, 2023
✅Clara McCormick
✅Brent Jackson#rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/bZOmnYY2g5
"She led by example and influenced other teammates to become more involved within the organization and helped others branch out away from just being on a field hockey team," said head Bucknell field hockey coach Kelsey Kolojejchick. "She is the true example of someone who puts their mind to something they will be successful in everything that they do. Her composure and hard work made her a force to be reckoned with on and off the field. I am so proud of all of Clara's accomplishments on and off the field and look forward to all of her future successes."
The other recipients for the 2022-23 Patriot League Award of Outstanding Leadership and Character were Colgate men's track & field's Bryan Qian and Navy women's lacrosse's Charlotte Ryan. All three honorees were selected by the administrators of the league's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
