Ohio Athletic Conference

Emily Denney Recognized as finalist for the NCAA DIII LGBTQ Student-Athlete of the Year Award

Posted: Jan 17, 2025

 

NASHVILLE, TN — University of Mount Union junior Emily Denney was named to the top-5 finalist for the NCAA Division III LGBTQ Student-Athlete of the Year Award. The NCAA Division III LGBTQ awards were held in conjunction with the 2025 NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Denney, a softball student-athlete, was named and recognized as a top-5 finalist for the NCAA Division III LGBTQ Student-Athlete of the Year Award. This prestigious award honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence and service/leadership of LGBTQ student-athletes in Division III.
 
To view the full list of final nominees, click here.

The 2024 Division III LGBTQ Student-Athlete of the Year Award went to Emerald Svienty, men's cross country/track and field student-athlete at North Central College (Illinois). The 2024 Division III LGBTQ Administrator/Coach/Staff of the Year Award went to Juliet Suess, head swimming and diving coach at Chapman University.

 

Division III LGBTQ of the Year Recognition Award Program

The Division III LGBTQ Working Group has developed the Division III LGBTQ of the Year Recognition Award Program that annually recognizes LGBTQ service, leadership, and inclusion in three categories.  

  • LGBTQ Student-Athlete of the Year Award, which honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence and service/leadership of LGBTQ student-athletes. 
  • LGBTQ Administrator/Coach/Staff of the Year Award, which honors the service, leadership and promotion of LGBTQ inclusion by an LGBTQ athletics administrator, coach or staff member.
  • LGBTQ Athletics Department/Conference of the Year Award, which honors an athletics department or conference office that has demonstrated proactive efforts to create and sustain an LGBTQ-inclusive culture.

The goal is to recognize, honor and celebrate the academic achievements, athletics excellence, service and leadership of LGBTQ student-athletes; the service, leadership and promotion of LGBTQ inclusion by an LGBTQ athletics administrator, coach or staff; and an athletics department or conference that has demonstrated proactive efforts to create and sustain an LGBTQ-inclusive culture.