2023-2024 University Credit Union Student-Athlete of the Month Program
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.
September 2023's UCU Student-Athlete of the Month honors the first of the 2023-24 academic year. Huskies' Athletics looks forward to continuing this recognition program throughout the year and its valuable partnership with University Credit Union.
Cody Mathewson | Health Sciences | Men's Cross Country
A fifth-year senior, Cody is a three-year captain for the Huskies' men's cross country team (2021, 2022 and 2023). A two-time All-Little East Conference (second team) performer during the cross country season, Cody has continued to lead his team on and off the course.
Through three races this season, Cody has been the Huskies' top finisher in two, after finishing as Southern Maine's second runner in the 2023 opener. At the 2023 Maine State Intercollegiate Championship meet, Cody placed 19
th overall in a strong field, covering the 8K event in 27:09.1.
Cody and the Huskies have two more meets, the NEICAAA Championship on October 7, and the Suffolk Invitational on October 14, before heading to the Little East Conference Championship hosted by Keene State.
A Health Sciences major, Cody is a five-time Little East Conference Academic Honor Roll recipient, and a William B Wise Scholar Athlete.
Breanna Atwood | Exercise Science | Women's Soccer
Named the Little East Conference Goalkeeper of the Week three times so far during the 2023 season, Bre is one of the Huskies' women's soccer captains, and has played a critical role in Southern Maine undefeated 9-0-2 start (3-0 Little East).
Named the 2022 LEC Goalkeeper of the Year, and selected to the all-conference first team, Bre has maintained her outstanding form recording five shutout decisions so far this season. Making seven saves in a 0-0 draw on the road at Bates College, Bre collected her 20
th career shutout, breaking a 23-year-old program record for shutouts in a career. Through 11 games this season, Bre has made 57 saves and has an outstanding .919 save percentage and a 0.47 goals against average.
An Exercise Science major, Bre earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors in 2022.
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."
