Lyndsey Edwards Named MEAC Woman of the Year
NORFOLK, Va. – It was announced Monday afternoon that Bethune-Cookman's Lyndsey Edwards was named as the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Woman of the Year, as released by the league office in Norfolk, Virginia.
The award, selected annually by the MEAC Senior Woman Administrators, celebrates the achievements of senior female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics, service and leadership.
"I would like to congratulate Lyndsey Edwards for having a spectacular career, not only in women's basketball, but in her academic pursuits as well," said MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis Thomas. "In addition, her service to the community is truly exceptional. I would like to thank the Bethune-Cookman University athletic staff, coaches, academic support personnel and Lyndsey's family, who had an influential part in Lyndsey's success. I wish her continued success in her future endeavors."
A product of Pike High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, Edwards recently earned her undergraduate degree from Bethune-Cookman graduating in May 2018. She was a member of the three-time defending MEAC Women's Basketball regular season champion Wildcats, under the direction of Head Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis. Additionally, the 5-11 forward participated in three consecutive Women's National Invitational Tournaments (WNIT) from 2016-18, respectfully.
During the course of the 2017-18 campaign, Edwards was one of two seniors on a BCU squad that set a program record for wins in a season (24) and notched its second consecutive 20-win campaign.
In addition to helping the Wildcats establish themselves as one of the MEAC's top women's basketball programs, Edwards continuously excelled in the classroom. She had a 3.83 GPA at BCU, where she majored in accounting, and she was named to the MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team on three occasions from 2016-18.
"Lyndsey epitomizes the student-athlete," said Vanessa Blair-Lewis. "She is a young woman of high intellect and strong moral character. We were blessed to have her in our program these past four years. She not only impacted our program, but she poured herself into this university, as well as being a servant leader. Her legacy will live on here, and we hope that other students will model her qualities."
Edwards was a member of the National Association of Black Accountants and served as president of BCU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In addition, she had a hand in starting a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) huddle – the first of its kind in Bethune-Cookman's history.
Given BCU's status as a faith-based institution, and the busy nature of student-athletes' schedules, Edwards realized there was potential to not only bring student-athletes together, but to bring them closer to Christ.
BCU's first-ever FCA huddle took place on April 23, 2018. For her efforts, Edwards was named FCA Servant Athlete of the Year.
Edwards will represent the MEAC as its nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. The NCAA established this award in 1991 to celebrate the achievements of women in intercollegiate athletics. Now in its 27th year, the award is unique because it recognizes not only the athletic achievements of outstanding young women, but also their academic achievements, community service and leadership.
The NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced on Sunday, Oct. 28, at the awards dinner in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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