Jill Bolton, a senior forward from Liberty University, was named the Honda Sport Award winner for field hockey as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).

The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 46 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”.  The winner of the sport award becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2022 Honda Cup, which will be presented on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 27th at 9 pm EST.

Bolton was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included Brooke DeBerdine (Maryland), Erin Matson (UNC) and Maddy Murphy (Iowa).

Bolton becomes Liberty’s first-ever recipient of the Honda Sport Award.

“Jill has accomplished another first for Liberty by being named the 2022 Honda Sport Award winner for field hockey and a finalist for Collegiate Women of the Year,” said Liberty Director of Athletics Ian McCaw. “Jill capped off a brilliant career by excelling on and off the field in leading our field hockey program to the BIG EAST Championship and NCAA Championship game.”

Named the 2021 NFHCA National Player of the Year and a two-time First-Team NFHCA All-American, Bolton led her team to the 2021 NCAA Field Hockey Championship runner-up title and the program’s first-ever appearance in the Championship game. The forward was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team for her efforts.

Prior to the NCAA Championship, she was named the Big East Championship MVP and a member of the Big East All-Tournament team after leading her team to its first-ever Big East Championship title. She is a five-time All-Big East First-Team honoree and twice earned Big East Offensive Player of the Week awards.

Hailing from Souderton, Pa., she is Liberty’s all-time leader in goals (61) and points (156) and third in school history in assists (34). She is also tops in program history in career games (95), starts (94), shots (330) and shots on goal (203). Bolton finished the season ranked eighth in the nation in points per game (1.96) and tenth in goals per game (.83).

“To win the Honda Award is truly the highest award you can win as a female in any sport. It is essentially like winning the Heisman in football,” stated head coach Nikki Parsley-Blocker. “Not only does this award speak to Jill’s ability as a hockey player, but it emphasizes her outstanding character and leadership. I do not think there is a more deserving player to receive this prestigious honor, and she has earned every bit of recognition. “I am incredibly grateful for the foundation Jill laid during her time in a Liberty uniform. She left a legacy that will impact this program forever, the house that Jill Bolton built.”

“Jill embodies a level of grit, perseverance and leadership that is unparalleled,” said Kristie Beitz, Liberty Senior Associate Athletics Director. “Watching her grow and develop over the last five years has been a true gift for Liberty University and for the sport of field hockey. Each year, she has improved in every facet of being a student-athlete. She has grown academically, athletically, socially and spiritually. I’m so excited for her and for our institution and program that she’s achieved this award. I’m honored and humbled to have been a part of this season with her. What she has done for the sport of field hockey and our program and our university will be seen for years to come.”

The CWSA, entering its 46th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.  

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility

For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on the areas of education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.