Executive Director Chris Voelz of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) unveiled today a new logo, commissioned by Honda, commemorating the 40^th anniversary of the CWSA. This year also marks the 30th-year partnering with Honda for the Honda Sports Awards Program and the prestigious Honda Cup honoring the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

Through the administration of the Honda Sports Awards program and the Honda Cup, the CWSA seeks to help elevate women’s collegiate sports on a national level by honoring outstanding achievement by NCAA women athletes who display not only superior athletic skills, but leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.

The CWSA awards program began in 1976 as the Broderick Cup and in 1985 when the American Honda sponsorship began, the name was changed to the Honda-Broderick Awards, soon becoming the Honda Awards. In 2001 the name changed again to The Collegiate Women Sports Awards presented by Honda as Honda became the presenting sponsor. The constant for all of those years is the Cup which is prominently featured in the 40th logo.

A 40^th anniversary celebration will take place surrounding the announcement of the 2016 Honda Cup winner. The Honda Cup announcement will be televised live on CBS Sports Network on June 27, 2016, in Los Angeles, Calif., at 9:00 pm EST.

Many former Honda Cup winners will return for this year’s 40^th celebration event along with representatives of our DII, DIII and Honda Inspiration Awards. The 40^th celebration will honor our past winners and recognize conferences and institutions which hold the most success in Honda Cup and Honda Sport Award honors.

Expected to join us for this special event are Olympians Tracy Caulkins (two-time Honda Cup winner in Swimming & Diving), Cheryl Miller (Basketball), Missy Marlowe (Gymnastics) and Oganna Nnamani (Volleyball).

 “In 1976 Judie Holland, a founder of the program, had a vision to honor the best female collegiate athletes in the nation,” said Chris Voelz, Executive Director of the CWSA. “We are proud that for 40 years that vision has been sustained, honoring the nation’s “the best of the best". The Cup featured on the logo is synonymous with excellence and the legendary athletes who have won it. This milestone also affords us the opportunity to extend our gratitude to our partners of the last 30 years, American Honda, who continues driving good things for women and women athletes.”

“Rarely is there a sponsor associated with any property for the 30 years that Honda has partnered with The Collegiate Women Sports Awards and we’re honored to share a commemorative 40^th logo presenting Honda’s name,” stated Jeanne Lenti Ponsetto, CWSA Chair of the Board and Athletics Director at DePaul University. “Honda’s Power of Dreams theme inspires us each year as we identify and recognize the very best female athletes in the nation. We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone not only with the Class of 2016 but with former Cup winners. Tune in to CBS Sports Network on June 27^th, 9pm ET, to see how far we’ve come.”

Since 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.0 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees over the course of the program. The signature award, the Honda Cup, is presented to the woman who demonstrates superior individual athletic achievement and embodies the ideals of team contribution, scholastic endeavor and school and community involvement. The partnership is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year promoting Honda as one of the longest running collegiate athletics sponsors in the market.

Previous Honda Cup winners include Ann Meyers-Drysdale, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mia Hamm, Lisa Fernandez, Misty May-Treanor, Courtney Kupets, Dawn Staley, Maya Moore and Missy Franklin.