November 2022
Recognizing the outstanding achievements of our University of Southern Maine  student-athletes is something we are proud to do.  Since January of 2022, Huskies' Athletics and University Credit Union have partnered up to highlight the varied and vital contributions USM student-athletes make in competition, in the classroom and in the community.  Whether its big-time performances for their team, or big steps in their academic and career goals, or our student-athletes commitment to Community Service,  USM & UCU are ready to celebrate our Student-Athletes of the Month.
 
Chosen by members of the Athletic Department administration, recipients of this honor successfully embody the Five Pillars of USM Athletics: Academic Excellence, Athletic Achievement, Personal Growth, Professional Development and Service to Community.
 
November 2022's UCU Student-Athlete of the Month honors a pair of Husky standouts who have excelled not only athletically, but have been outstanding contributors to the University's athletic department.   Huskies' Athletics looks forward to continuing this recognition program throughout the year and its valuable partnership with University Credit Union.
 

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 Sophie Lindsay | Athletic Training | Volleyball
Recently honored as a William B. Wise Scholar Athlete and a 2022 Little East Conference All-Academic Team member, senior Sophie Lindsay was also honored by the College Sports Communicators as a 2022 Academic All-District award winner.  Co-captain of the Huskies' volleyball team, Lindsay has been a leader on and off the court for Southern Maine as a founding member of the Huskies' Student-Athlete Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (SADIE) Committee. 
 
Finishing her career as a Husky student-athlete this fall, Sophie's four season with USM will be one for the record books as she is has the fourth-most assists in program history (2002 assists), and is just the fourth Husky player to break the 2000 assist mark.  She also ranks second all-time in hitting percentage with a .265 clip, ninth in career digs (843) and fifth in career block assists (79). 
 
As a founding member of Huskies' SADIE, Sophie has played a valuable role in pushing diversity and inclusion initiatives within Southern Maine Athletics.  As an Athletic Training student, and student-employee, Sophie has consistently demonstrated professionalism and a valuable work ethic.   


 

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Riley Peterson | Marketing | Track & Field
A member of the Huskies' indoor and outdoor track & field teams, Riley Peterson is a four-time William B. Wise Scholar Athlete. A standout in the pole vault, Riley earned United States Track & Field, Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region honors in 2021-2022, and earned second team All-Little East Conference honors following the indoor season. 
 
Owning the fourth best pole vault height in USM men's track & field history, 4.76 meters, Riley has been a consistent performer for the Huskies – and claimed the LEC individual championship during the outdoor season and earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors for the second time.

Excelling academically and athletically, Riley has also been an outstanding student-employee for USM Athletic Communications, helping capture many of the remarkable, history-making and exciting moments of his peers as they compete throughout the academic year as a videographer.
 
"Riley has been a tremendous asset to Huskies' Athletics," said Director of Athletic Communications Christina Cracolici.  "He is exceptionally talented, contributes unique ideas and is always willing to put in the extra effort to make USM Athletics look great in the digital landscape.  In addition to his excellent work, Riley is a pleasure to work with and can be counted upon to be a professional in all areas."

 

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WHAT IS THE UNIVERSITY CREDIT UNION/ATHLETIC DIRECTOR STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE MONTH?
 
Throughout each academic year as Huskies' Athletics moves from fall to winter to the spring competition, Southern Maine student-athletes are consistently recognized at the state, conference, regional and national level for their outstanding and noteworthy performances on the field of competition. 
 
Academically, Huskies are also known for their superior performances earning All-Academic team honors from a variety of awards bureaus as well as the University.  During the 2021-22 academic year, USM student-athletes combined for a department grade point average of 3.2. Each year, Husky student-athletes receive recognition for their athletic, academic and community service activities.  Last spring, USM's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee was named the University's Student Group of the Year for the fourth time in six years.  And later this fall, Southern Maine Athletics is looking forward to honoring its hundreds of William B. Wise Scholar Athletes. 
 
Proudly supporting and emphasizing the Division III student-athlete model, Huskies' Athletics focuses its goals on five key areas for each of its nearly 450 student-athletes: Academic Excellence, Athletic Achievement, Personal Growth, Professional Development and Service to Community.
 
Many of USM student-athletes play big roles not only on their teams, but also in life -  as student employees, mentors, student organization leaders, civic rights activists, residence life assistants, and more. With that in mind, Director of Athletics Al Bean and University Credit Union are coming together to create a new way to honor and amplify the remarkable contributions of our student-athletes that go far beyond the stat sheet with the UCU Athletic Director Student-Athlete of the Month recognition.
 
"As a department, Huskies Athletics believes in the development of the overall student-athlete. As soon as they become a Husky, we are investing in their future. The goal for a USM student-athlete is for each and every one to realize their full potential academically, athletically, personally, professional and civically.  Our student-athletes are leaders on and off of the field and in the community.  With the creation of the UCU Athletic Director Student-Athlete of the Month honor, we are seeking to establish a tangible way to congratulate and encourage the work of student-athletes both inside and outside of the competitive arena."
 
The UCU Athletic Director Student-Athlete of the Month (one male, one female) will be chosen based upon Huskies' Five Key Pillars: Academic Excellence, Athletic Achievement, Personal Growth, Professional Development and Service to Community.  Members of the Huskies' Athletic Administration will nominate and choose those student-athletes to be recognized.
 
"We're excited for this new initiative and for the increased opportunities to recognize our tremendous student-athletes," said Bean.  "UCU's partnership further demonstrates their commitment to the overall growth and development of our programs."