Shufelt Selected as 2013 GNAC Woman of the Year

BOSTON, MA - The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is pleased to announce that Danyelle Shufelt (Sutton, Vt./Lyndon Institute) has been chosen as the 2012-13 GNAC Woman of the Year. Shufelt, a four-year member of the Monks' softball and basketball programs, graduated cum laude this past May as a Biology/Pre-Physician's Assistant major.

Shufelt enjoyed an excellent college career both on the court and the diamond, as well as in the classroom, during her time at Saint Joseph's. She claimed three All-Conference accolades as a four-year starter for the Saint Joseph's softball team and earned three GNAC All-Academic accolades along with 2013 Capital One Softball First Team Academic All-District® honors over the past four years.

"Being a successful scholar athlete and an influential volunteer has given me opportunities to gain a sense of community involvement and pride, to develop new social networks, and to devote time to something I love," adds Shufelt. "I have grown tremendously in self-confidence and leadership and have developed stronger teamwork and life skills. This honor really means a lot to me."

A proven winner, Shufelt helped lead her teams to a 200-82 (.709) record, a tally that includes an impressive 120-27 (.816) mark in GNAC play, since stepping on campus in the fall of 2009. The Monks made conference tournament appearances in seven of eight possible occasions with her in uniform. She helped propel the softball team to three-consecutive GNAC Softball Championships (2011-13) and the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team advanced to at least the GNAC Tournament semifinal round three times, including a championship game appearance in 2012, with Shufelt in the fold.

Also an extremely durable player, Shufelt missed only three games (all during her freshman basketball season) during her two-sport NCAA career. She played in 103 games with 36 starts - including all 27 games as a senior - for the Monks' basketball team and started all 176 contests for the SJC softball program over the last four seasons.

Upon further research, it is believed that no athlete has participated in more games (279) at Saint Joseph's College. Shufelt leaves the softball program as the Monks' all-time leader in games (176) and at bats (607) and ranks second in team history in hits (231) and runs scored (163). A career .381 hitter, she is also third in the SJC softball annals in stolen bases with 50 thefts in 52 attempts over four seasons and is just the second player in program history to eclipse the 200-hit mark.

She posted her finest softball season as a senior when she hit .446 (78-175) with 51 runs, five doubles, five triples, 20 RBI and 22 stolen bases in as many attempts. A senior captain, Shufelt broke the Monks' single-season records for hits and at bats en route receiving First Team All-GNAC and First Team ECAC All-New England accolades.

"Danyelle truly had a special senior year," adds softball Head Coach Jamie Smyth '92. "I am so happy for her personally for winning this award, which she truly deserved. This team has been fortunate to have had players like Danyelle and (2011 GNAC Woman of the Year) Alyssa Dunn '11 – two young women who have played significant roles in where the Saint Joseph's College softball program is today."

Also a fine player on the hardwood, Shufelt netted 771 points with 212 rebounds, 183 assists and 130 steals as a four-year member of the basketball team. She posted career-highs in scoring (11.5 PPG), assists (72) and steals (51) as a senior co-captain and capped her career as the third-most efficient three-point shooter in program history, having made 83.3% (230-276) from the charity stripe over four seasons.

"It is not very often that you have a student-athlete like Danyelle as part of your program," adds women's basketball Head Coach Mike McDevitt '83. "A dean's list student who also excelled as a two-sport athlete is very rare these days and this honor is a tribute to all her hard work and dedication. We are very proud of all that Danyelle has accomplished during her four years at Saint Joseph's College."

Away from the game, Shufelt worked basketball and softball clinics and also worked as a math tutor at Saint Joseph's. By earning the GNAC Woman of the Year honor, Shufelt is now a candidate for NCAA Woman of the Year. According to NCAA.org, the award "honors graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, community service and leadership."

This marks the fourth occurrence over the last six years that a female athlete from Saint Joseph's College has earned the prestigious GNAC Woman of the Year honor. Women's soccer standout Jillian Leger '08 claimed the high honor in 2008, Alyssa Dunn '11, a four-year starter for the Monks' softball and field hockey programs, was recognized in 2011 and Hannah Gajewski, a standout swimmer at Saint Joseph's, claimed the accolade last summer.

The top ten finalists from Division III will be named by the NCAA in August. The national winner will be announced at the Woman of the Year Awards Dinner in Indianapolis on October 20th, 2013.

*Release courtesy of Saint Joseph's College (ME) Sports Information.