Senior Stephanie Tracy has accomplished many things as a student at Penn State Brandywine. She played on the men's soccer team for three years and is currently on the cross country team. She has earned a 4.0 in each of the last two semesters and served as secretary of the Student Government Association (SGA) this past academic year.
Now Tracy can add an even bigger honor to her list as the recipient of the University's prestigious John Egli Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award, which is given annually to outstanding female and male scholar-athletes throughout the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC).
Tracy is Penn State Brandywine's sixth female and eighth overall recipient of the John Egli Award, which was created in 1982. The award was presented at a special banquet luncheon held at University Park. On hand to present the award was Tim Curley, director of athletics at Penn State University Park.
Tracy, who is majoring in human development and family studies (HDFS) and minoring in civic and community engagement, also received the Academic All-Conference Award, the All-Conference Award, the Recognition of Outstanding Contribution Award, the James King Memorial Award and the Four Year Athlete Award.
The award was established in honor of Assistant Professor John Egli in recognition of his dedication and devotion to the University, where he served as a student, athlete, faculty member and coach. Particularly significant were his service and contributions as the first Commonwealth campus coordinator of athletics. Egli was responsible for establishing and developing the athletic programs currently enjoyed by countless students across the Penn State system, and served as athletic director and men's basketball coach at Penn State DuBois.
To be considered for the award, a student must have had a distinguished athletic career in a campus athletic program, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0, be a full-time, upper-class student, be active in other campus activities and exemplify high morals, leadership and outstanding character, Sports Information Coordinator Melissa Algeo explained.
"I am very honored to have even been nominated for this award let alone to have received it," Tracy said. "Coach [Jim] Gastner (campus athletic director) has always been supportive from the first day I set foot on his soccer field to try out on the men's team as a scared, little freshman. I am proud of my accomplishment but I cannot and will not take full credit. Without Coach Gastner I would still be the same person I was as a freshman--scared, lacking confidence and convinced that I would fail out of college."
In a letter to PSUAC Commissioner John Fritz, Gastner explained why he chose Tracy for the Egli Award. "Steph Tracy embodies what it means to be a student athlete and is a shining example for others to follow. She was a member and top runner on our inaugural cross country team and Steph's seventh place finish at the PSUAC Championships this year led our women's team to a second place finish."
Reflecting on her experience thus far at Brandywine, Tracy said, "My time at Brandywine has been the best four years of my life. I'd pick Penn State Brandywine every time. Thank you to all of you who made winning the John Egli Award possible!"
