From NYU Athletics
The Rotary Club of Salem, VA, has announced New York University student-athlete Kaitlyn Read as a finalist for the 2018 Jostens Trophy. Read, who plays on the women's basketball team at NYU, is one of 10 finalists for the award, which is handed out to an outstanding NCAA Division III men's and women's basketball player who excels on the court, in the classroom and in the community.
The Jostens Trophy is a national award created by the Rotary Club of Salem to honor the most outstanding men's and women's NCAA Division III basketball players of the year. The award takes into account three vital parts: basketball ability, academic prowess, and community service. The trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the well-rounded NCAA Division III student-athlete. This year's class marks the 21st year the awards have been presented.
Read has continued her success on the basketball court this season, averaging University Athletic Association (UAA) bests in points (20.2 ppg) and steals (3.8 spg), while also grabbing 5.6 rpg and dishing out a team-high 4.8 apg. The graduate student, who completed her undergraduate work last May with a double-major in politics and Spanish, also takes pride in her academic success and work done within the community. Read is now working towards a master's degree in global affairs with a concentration in transnational security.
Read has also made it a point to give back to those less fortunate in and around New York City over the past five years.
"What makes Kaitlyn so special is how great she is at a multitude of different things," explained NYU Head Coach Lauren Hall-Gregory. "That isn't by accident, though. Whether its on the court, in the classroom, or in the community, she approaches everything a certain way that is built around competitiveness and a drive to succeed, while being centered towards team and serving. She is a standout in everything she does and it's been like this since day one."
The national selection committee will review the finalists and submit their ballots by March 8. The final presentation will take place on Thursday, March 16, prior to the NCAA Division III Men's National Championship in Salem.