May 28, 2014
Related feature story: Molly Shawhan Selflessly Serves Society
NOTRE DAME, Ind. –
Senior captain Molly Shawhan of the Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team has been named as one of five female finalists for the Unsung Hero Award, presented in memory of Yeardley Reynolds Love. The award, given annually to the men’s and women’s collegiate lacrosse players who best embody Love’s generous and team-oriented characteristics, will have its 2014 recipients announced on Saturday night in Annapolis, Maryland.
In addition to serving as a mentor in both lacrosse and life to her teammates, while playing in 18 games with four starts for a Fighting Irish team that advanced to the NCAA’s second round in 2014, Shawhan’s contributions in the community are extensive. She was last year’s community service liaison for Notre Dame’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has worked on projects to help the underprivileged as far away as Uganda. The diverse list of national charities to benefit from Shawhan’s personal assistance range from Best Buddies to Relay For Life and from Habitat For Humanity to Adopt-A-Family. She has also worked with a plethora of local organizations. Shawhan was a finalist for the YRL Unsung Hero Award in 2013 as well.
“Molly’s dedication to her team and community makes her a strong candidate for the Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award,” said Sharon Robinson, One Love Foundation National Advisory Counsel member and former Yale women’s lacrosse Captain. “She is an outstanding leader in her community, really going out of her way to help others as much as possible. We are proud to honor her as a finalist again this year as she truly is an unsung hero.”
The Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award recognizes the accomplishments of a student-athlete who helps his or her team achieve success in ways that may not be measured in goals, saves or ground balls. This honor is meaningful because it places value on characteristics that are often undervalued in the competitively charged environment of college lacrosse. The winners will be awarded a donation to a charity of their choice.
Love was presented the Betty and Money Yates Unsung Hero Award at the University of Virginia in 2010. This award is given each year to the Cavalier lacrosse player who best exemplifies dedication and leadership to the team.
Shawhan is joined as a finalist in 2014 by Delaware’s Elyse Andrews, Boston University’s Sydney Godette, Princeton’s Colleen Smith and Colgate’s Emily Speck. More information on both the award and its namesake is available at the One Love Foundation’s website, JoinOneLove.org.