From Emory University Athletics

Emory University head coach Jenny McDowell, has been named the recipient of the 2016 Bill Hartman Award,  one of the highest honors given to a former University of Georgia student-athlete.

McDowell will be recognized at UGA's football game against Georgia Tech on November 26.

Named for the late Bill Hartman, Georgia's long-time kicking coach and chairman of the Georgia Student Educational Fund, the Hartman Award has been presented annually since 1992 and recognizes former Georgia student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence in their profession and/or in service to others by 20 or more years of superior performance after graduation. Only former varsity athletes who have received a baccalaureate degree from Georgia can be considered for the award.

McDowell enjoyed a brilliant career as a member of the Georgia's volleyball program, leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back conference titles in 1985 and 1986. She was named as an All-SEC player twice and Academic All-SEC honoree.  She became one of Georgia's first-ever AVCA All-Southeast Region selections, earning the distinction in 1986 and 1987.  She doled out a school-record 5,667 assists from her setting position, and is the only UGA volleyball player to have her jersey retired.

McDowell graduated from the University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing. She joined the Bulldog coaching ranks as a student assistant and continued her education through UGA's master's program in sport management. While on the UGA staff as an assistant, she helped the Bulldogs to five-straight NCAA Tournaments.

McDowell took over the Emory program as head coach starting in 1996 and has had an amazing run of success that has seen the Eagles capture 20 consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, including the 2008 national championship.  The Eagles have advanced to the postseason's Round of 16 on 16 occasions and has made five trips to the national semifinals.  She has coached 25 different players to a total of 41 All-America honors, six players to UAA Player of the Year and seven to UAA Rookie of the Year. In addition, two of her players have earned Division III National Player of the Year honors.  Her school and career won-lost record currently stands at 673-151.

"I can't begin to express my sincere gratitude for being selected for this prestigious award that is named after a man who had a deep love for the University of Georgia," McDowell said. "Bill's contributions and devotion to UGA are well documented and celebrated, as is the impact that he had on his country, community and business world. The life he lived embodies what it means to be a Bulldog, and to be included with a long line of distinguished UGA grads who have been recognized for this honor is certainly humbling and something that I will always treasure."