April 2023
Recognizing the outstanding achievements of our University of Southern Maine student-athletes is something we are proud to do. The April 2023 edition of the UCU/Athletic Director Student-Athlete of the Month celebrates the partnership between Huskies' Athletics partnered and University Credit Union for this monthly award 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.
For April 2023, the UCU Student-Athlete of the Month honors a pair of student-athletes from the Huskies' men's and women's lacrosse programs. Both high-scoring performers for their respective teams, Huskies' Athletics is excited to honor senior
Nick James (Portland, Maine/Deering) of the men's lacrosse team and fifth-year senior
Rachel Shanks (Naples, Maine/Lake Region.) Huskies' Athletics looks forward to continuing this recognition program throughout the year and its valuable partnership with University Credit Union.
Nick James | Physics | Men's Lacrosse
Capping off a record-breaking season as part of a record-breaking career, James' name is synonymous with Huskies' men's lacrosse scoring records. James established six single-season records in 2023 and finished with 47 goals, 36 assists and 86 points – all program records. Averaging 2.25 assists per game and 5.19 points per game, James has claimed those records as well. Additionally, James is in a two-way tie for man-up goals in a season with 11.
A five-year member of the Huskies program, James hold the school men's lacrosse records for career goals (127), points (221), goals per game (2.35), assists per game (1.74), points per game (4.09) and is second in career assists (94). Fittingly, James broke and set the program records for career goals, single-season assists and single-season points while also becoming the first player in team history to reach 200 career points in the Huskies' 22-5 win over Salem State on Senior Day (April 19, 2022).
A three-time LEC All-Academic Team member, James is a Physics major at the University of Southern Maine. He was nominated for the 2023 Albert D. Bean Leadership Award at the University's recent Athletic Senior Honors Night Banquet and Ceremony.
Rachel Shanks | Sociology | Women's Lacrosse
A two-year captain and a 2022 first team All-Little East Conference attack player for the Huskies' women's lacrosse program, Shanks has been an offensive spark plug for Southern Maine since 2019. Reaching the 100 career goals and 100 career points milestones in 2022, Shanks has continued to score in volume for the Huskies, leading her team to a no. 3 seed and home playoff berth for the 2023 season.
Finishing the 2023 regular season second in goals (62) and tied for third in goals-per-game (3.65), Shanks is presently second in career goals (172) and third in career points (213) and tied for eighth in career assists (40).
A three-time William B. Wise Scholar Athlete and LEC All-Academic Team selection, Shanks is a Sociology major.
