Bolton Receives 2022 Honda Sport Award for Field Hockey
1/5/2022 1:53:33 PM | Field Hockey
Liberty field hockey’s Jill Bolton has added another prestigious award to her collection, as she was named the 2022 Honda Sport Award winner for field hockey.
The 2021 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division I National Player of the Year, Bolton is the first Liberty student-athlete in school history to earn the Honda Sport Award.
The award has presented annually by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) for the past 46 years to the top female athlete in 12 NCAA sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in college athletics”. The award was announced this afternoon by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of the CWSA.
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 beginning 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.
“To win the Honda is truly the highest award you can win as a female in any sport. It is essentially like winning the Heisman in football,” stated Liberty Field Hockey 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.”
Bolton is now a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2022 Honda Cup which will be presented on a telecast on CBS Sports Network, June 27 at 9 p.m. Eastern.
“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.”
On Dec. 16, Bolton became the first finalist for the Honda Sport Award in Liberty Athletics history. Other finalists included Maryland’s Brooke DeBerdine, North Carolina’s Erin Matson and Iowa’s Maddy Murphy. The field hockey finalists were selected by a panel of coaches and experts from the NFHCA.
The Honda Sport Award winner was voted on by administrators from over 1,000 member schools, with each NCAA member institution receiving a vote.
“Jill embodies a level of grit, perseverance and leadership that is unparalleled. 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,” stated Liberty Senior Associate Athletics Director – Academic Affairs Kristie Beitz. “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.”
Bolton, a senior, was selected as a 2021 NFHCA All-America first team honoree, her second straight first team All-American award and third overall All-American distinction. She also became the first player in program history to receive NFHCA South Region Player of the Year recognition.
An NFHCA All-South Region first team honoree, Bolton paced Liberty in goals (19) and points (45) during the fall 2021 campaign. She finished the year ranked eighth in the nation in points per game (1.96) and 10th in goals per game (0.83).
Bolton earned NCAA Field Hockey Championship All-Tournament team honors for her performance at the Final Four. The forward from Souderton, Pa. was also an All-BIG EAST first team honoree, BIG EAST Championship MVP and All-Tournament team selection. Bolton received one NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week recognition, two BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week honors and one BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll distinction during her final season for Liberty.
Bolton is also a two-time BIG EAST All-Academic team honoree. She has also served the community in many capacities during her time at Liberty.
Bolton closed out her Liberty career as the program record holder in goals (61) and points (156), and she ranked third in career assists (34). She also leads the program in career games (95), starts (94), shots (330) and shots on goal (203).
Bolton guided Liberty to a nation-best 20 wins this fall and its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Field Hockey Championship title game.
“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,” Parsley-Blocker said.
