DENVER, COLO. - Metro State women's soccer player Kylee Hanavan has been named the Division II Athlete of the Year by Honda, the organization announced Thursday.
The senior from Northglenn, Colo., who led Metro State to NCAA national championships in 2004 and 2006, will accept the prestigious Honda Sports Award during a press conference at New York City's Columbia University, June 25.
"We're extremely proud of Kylee and the contributions she has made to Metro State," said athletic director Joan McDermott. "Her leadership and dedication to the soccer program will certainly be remembered."
Hanavan is just the second soccer player to earn the honor in the 20-year history of the Division II Athlete of the Year award. She was voted over 11 other Division II athletes from different sports. Athletic directors from Division II NCAA member schools around the country vote on the award.
"As only the second soccer player in the history of the award, it really separates her accomplishment from all the other great soccer players over the years," said Roadrunner head soccer coach Danny Sanchez. "It's a well-deserved award. Kylee was a catalyst in putting Metro State soccer on the map. The Honda Sports Award is also a tremendous reflection on the athletic department and where we sit in the Division II landscape. Not only is this a great honor for Kylee but for our program and for Metro State."
Hanavan, the 2006 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Player of the Year, leaves Metro State as the Roadrunners' all-time leader in points (206), goals (80) and assists (46). A three-time NSCAA/adidas all-American and two-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Player of the Year, she ranked fourth in the NCAA in assists per game (0.80), sixth in points per game (2.64) and 21 st in goals per game (0.92) this past season.
"It's an exciting award, a good way to go out, and it speaks volumes about the soccer program and the athletic department at Metro State," said Hanavan, who is a social work major. "The highlight of my career was playing with amazing talent on two national championship teams."
Hanavan led the RMAC in points (66), goals (23) and assists (20) this past season. Her 20 assists is a MetroState single-season record. The 5-foot-6 forward, who was named the RMAC Player of the Week eight times during her three-year career, helped MetroState to RMAC championships in each of her three seasons.
"This award is a reflection of the athletic department leadership because without the support of our administration, led by athletic director Joan McDermott, awards like this don't happen," said Sanchez.
The Collegiate Women Sports Awards program is sponsored by Honda and is now in its 31st year. American Honda Motor Co. will donate $5,000 in Hanavan's name to the Metro State women's athletic department.