Julia Seader, a senior from LIU Post, was named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for softball as announced by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Seader is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DII Honda Athlete of the Year. This will be voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of THE CWSA program, now in its 43rd year.

“I am so honored to be a finalist for this award”, said Seader. “I would like to thank the CWSA and Honda for acknowledging women in collegiate athletics. This not only highlights myself as a softball player, but also my hard work and dedication to the sport I’ve given my life to. Being a finalist is amazing to not only represent myself but my school and state. I would not be here if I didn’t have the support and love given by my parents, coaches, and teammates.”

Seader was most recently named the Schutt Sports/NFCA National Division II Player of the Year after having already been named East Coast Conference Player of the Year, Division II Conference Commissioners Association East Region Player of the Year, NFCA Division II Catcher of the Year, and NFCA first team All-America. She becomes the first LIU Post student-athlete to be named National Player of the Year in the 44-year history of the softball program, and also becomes the first player from the East Region to earn the award.

 The Piscataway, N.J., native helped rewrite the record books this season matching the single season program record with games played (64) and hits (91), while also becoming the career program leader in at-bats (760), hits (304), doubles (60), total bases (523), and slugging percentage (.688).

 In addition, Seader led the nation in total bases (173), and home runs (21) and ranked fifth nationally in hits, 10th in runs batted in (63), and 12th in slugging percentage (.832).

“Julia personifies the core values of an LIU Post softball player”, said head coach Jamie Apicella. “What separates Julia is her drive and commitment to be a true leader and her tireless commitment to excellence.  This talented young woman always strived to be the best and may go down as the most decorated athlete in LIU Post history.  We couldn't be prouder of her accomplishments this season and throughout her career.  This is a well-deserved honor to be nominated for such a prestigious award.”

All Honda Sports nominees from DII and DIII become a finalist for the prestigious 2019 Honda Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented in a live telecast on CBS Sports on June 24, 2019, in downtown Los Angeles. The Honda Sports nominees are recognized in 11 DII and DIII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.

THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for 43 years, recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.   Since commencing its sponsorship in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.3 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.

About Honda

Honda seeks to be a company that society wants to exist, creating products and technologies that improve the lives of people while minimizing the environmental impacts of its products and business operations to ensure a sustainable future.

Honda also is committed to making positive contributions to the communities where it does business, conducting socially responsible business practices and promoting diversity in its workforce. From Honda’s involvement in STEM education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to its support of pediatric brain tumor research and volunteer efforts by Honda associates, including environmental clean-up activities, Honda believes in giving back to the communities where its associates live and work.

Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/