The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) announced today a two-year extension of its 31-year partnership with Honda for the Honda Sports Award Program and the prestigious Honda Cup honoring the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

Through the administration of the Honda Sports Award 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 are the "best of the best" of their sport that year.

"We are thrilled that we are able to continue the wonderful partnership with American Honda. We are proud to have one of the few partners in the sports world who has committed itself to more than three decades of support for women in sport. Honda’s belief in us drives us and makes our dreams come true," said Chris Voelz, Executive Director of the CWSA.

“On behalf of the CWSA Board of Directors, we are so pleased to be continuing our partnership with Honda.  Honda has been a leader in the storytelling of the very best women athletes on our college campuses across the United States.  Their contributions as the presenting sponsor of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards has provided an amazing platform in recognizing high achieving women in intercollegiate athletics.  We look forward to writing the next chapters with our Honda partners,” stated Jeanne Lenti Ponsetto, CWSA Chair of the Board and Athletics Director at DePaul University.

Since 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.1 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.

 In addition to recognizing Honda Sports Award winners from 12 Division I NCAA sports, Honda also supports the Honda Athletes of the Year for the best of Division II and III and the Honda Inspiration Award given to the student-athlete who overcomes adversity and returns to competition inspiring us all.

At the end of the collegiate athletics season, the Honda Sports Award winners participate in a two-day award event, which includes The Celebration Luncheon hosted by Honda and the live televised Honda Cup announcement, to be held on June 26, 2017, in Los Angeles, Calif., where the Honda Top Three are selected before the live presentation of the Honda Cup.  Also, the honorees are celebrated throughout the year in On-Campus Presentations in front of their institutions’ home crowds.

“The student-athletes honored with the Honda Sports Award and the Honda Cup excel in their sports, their classrooms and in their communities,” said Steve Morikawa, vice president, Corporate Relations & Social Responsibility, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.  “We’re pleased to recognize their accomplishments and support the NCAA-member schools for which they compete to advance the cause of female collegiate athletics.”

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