Recent Gustavus Adolphus College graduate Melissa Mackley, a four-year standout for the Gustavus women’s hockey team, has been named one of 30 finalists for the 2010 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. As one of the 30 finalists, 10 from each of the NCAA’s three divisions, Mackley receives an all-expenses paid trip to Indianapolis, Ind., to attend the awards dinner on October 17 where the 2010 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced.
“Melissa is much more than an outstanding student and athlete,” said Gustavus President Jack Ohle. “She is an individual that represents everything that is good about leadership — magnificent in the classroom, in the community and on the ice. We are honored to have her represent Gustavus as a finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.”
A Burnsville, Minn. native, Mackley was a two-time First Team All-America forward who completed her career ranked ninth all-time in career scoring at Gustavus with 33 goals and 69 assists for 102 points. Mackley played in all 114 games the Gusties played during her career, which ranks second all-time and her 69 assists rank fourth all-time. In the 2009-10 season, Mackley scored a career-high 30 points (12 goals and 18 assists) and was captain of a Gustavus squad that finished fourth at the NCAA Championships, compiling a record of 22-6-2 overall.
A Phi Beta Kappa honoree, Mackley majored in biology and compiled a 3.96 grade point average. She was a three-time academic all-conference selection and a 2009 CoSIDA Academic All-America honoree. Mackley plans to pursue a medical degree specializing in ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota. In addition to her success on the rink and in the classroom, Mackley was active on campus serving as an officer for the Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society and as a mentor with the Diversity Peer Mentor program. She also took part in Habitat for Humanity, Feed My Starving Children, Relay for Life, and Re-Build Together.
“We are so happy for Melissa,” stated Gustavus Athletics Director Al Molde. “She is the epitome of the student athlete at Gustavus…excellence in academics, athletics, and service to others. She has represented the Gustavus Athletics program with dignity and honor for the past four years.”
Mackley becomes the third Gustavus female student athlete to be honored as a NCAA Woman of the Year national nominee. Sarah Edmonds was one of ten national finalists in 1993 and Sarah Moe was also one of ten national finalists in 2002.