PSAC Communications
Ben Matos
CLEVELAND – Former Cal U volleyball student-athlete and member of the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Madeleine McKenna earned the D2 CCA Meritorious Service Award, the National Association of College Athletic Directors (NACDA) announced Thursday.
McKenna, along with Steven Poston of Wingate, are this year’s recipients.
With Madeleine being awarded the honor, it marks the first time in history a student-athlete has been selected.
“Mads has been an awesome representative of the PSAC, not only as a conference and national SAAC member, but as a representative for all student-athletes on the NCAA Constitution Committee,” PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray said. “It has been a great pleasure to watch her develop and star as a leader within Division II and the entire NCAA.”
The D2 CCA Meritorious Service Award recognizes a commissioner with ten years of service once he/she leaves the position for the time and dedication they have made to Division II and is decided by the full CCA membership upon recommendation by the Awards Committee. In addition, other individuals, including but not limited to conference office staff, institutional staff members, or NCAA staff members are also eligible to be recognized with this award. The intent is to recognize these individuals once they retire or depart Division II; however, if an individual goes above and beyond in service to Division II, in particular, the CCA, they may be recognized even if they are still employed at a Division II conference office or institution.
“The D2 CCA is proud to honor Madeleine and Steve as this year’s recipients of the Meritorious Service Award and celebrate their significant impact on all of Division II,” said D2 CCA President and CACC Commissioner, Daniel Mara. “Steve’s years of dedicated service have impacted thousands of student-athletes. Madeleine is at the start of an amazing career and has set the standard for student-athlete engagement in Division II.”
McKenna was a vocal advocate on behalf of all student-athletes, her work with the SAAC allowed her to serve as a student-athlete representative for the NCAA Constitution Committee as well as the Division II Management Council, focusing on the importance of student-athlete well-being and mental health. McKenna was a leader both in and out the classroom, earning the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award in 2020 and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete Award for four consecutive years. Today, McKenna is currently a graduate student pursuing a mental health counseling degree with a goal of assisting future student-athletes with their mental health needs.