March 6, 2007

GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith senior Sophie Dennis ’07 (Dana L. West/Port Byron, N.Y.) was recently named a recipient of the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. A sports in society major, Dennis was a three-time field hockey All-American.

This scholarship is awarded to up to 174 student-athletes annually who stand out academically and athletically, and who are in their last year of intercollegiate athletics competition. Recipients must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher to be considered, and each winner receives a one-time grant of $7,500 to use for their postgraduate education.

Dennis is one of 29 female student-athletes, spanning all three divisions, who received the scholarship after the fall season. Heron field hockey Head Coach Sally Scatton couldn’t be more proud.

“Sophie is most deserving of this award,” said Scatton. “This caps off four years of an exemplary academic and athletic career.”

Dennis is William Smith’s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals and 39 assists. She also holds the record for most points in a season with 70, recorded in 2006, and was named the Liberty League Player of the Year twice. Additionally, Dennis was named the Rochester Area College Athletics Field Hockey Player of the Year three times, and has earned the Division III ECAC Player of the Year twice.

A forward, Dennis led the Herons to a 67-17 record, including a 27-1 mark in the Liberty League over her four years at William Smith. She and her classmates led the Herons to four straight Liberty League regular season titles and three consecutive Liberty League Tournament crowns. In three NCAA Tournament appearances, Dennis and the Herons advanced to the semifinals in 2004 and reached the quarterfinals in 2005 and 2006.

In addition to her studies, Dennis has been instrumental in the organizing and planning of this year’s HWS Day, April 9-13, which will explore the topic “Only a Game? The Role of Sport in Society.” There will be a series of guest speakers on campus throughout the week.

Dennis is just the ninth William Smith student-athlete to earn an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. She follows former field hockey player Ami Ford ’00.

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