Her collegiate career may be over, but UCF women’s soccer forward Tishia Jewell is still making history. Jewell was named the winner of the Senior CLASS Award on Friday, besting the 10 national finalists to become the first Knight to earn the honor.
The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I women’s soccer coaches, national soccer media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in women’s soccer. The student-athlete must boast notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.
“I want to thank all the people who supported me and voted for me during the season,” Jewell said. “It represents not only my athletic career, but my life as a part of the UCF and in the community. I am also honored to leave C-USA and UCF with this accomplishment.”
Jewell is the second Conference USA student-athlete in any sport to win the award as Memphis women’s soccer’s Lizzy Simonin was bestowed the honor last year. Jewell was selected as one of 30 candidates for the award in mid-September and made the cut to 10 finalists a month later as Florida’s only women’s soccer representative.
The Satellite Beach native was the fan favorite in the online poll by claiming 24.18 percent of the vote.
“This award is very prestigious, and it is awesome that it recognizes student-athletes not only in their achievements on the field, but off the field as well,” UCF head coach Amanda Cromwell said. “Tishia’s academics and contribution to society have been a relevant part of her experience here at UCF. Compared to a lot of student-athletes around the country, she set herself apart, but she was in great company with the list of finalists. It’s a very special award for a special student-athlete.”
Jewell finished her career as one of the most decorated women soccer players in school history, both on the field and in the classroom.
She has been honored as an NSCAA All-American, a two-time All-Central Region selection and Soccer America MVP. Jewell was a force in C-USA as a three-time all-conference honoree and the 2010 offensive player of the year.
In 2012, she became the program’s career assists (36) leader. She shined in the postseason as she buried a 45-yard goal against Memphis, assisted the game-winning goal against SMU and helped UCF top Tulsa 2-0 during the C-USA Tournament to clinch UCF’s first conference tournament championship.
In the NCAA Tournament first round, she connected on the team’s first PK attempt in its shootout against Miami to help the Knights advance to the second round for the sixth-consecutive year. As a team captain, she helped lead the team to its highest national ranking (No. 6) in the past two decades this season.
Her academic resume speaks for itself as Jewell earned her associate’s degree with honors prior to enrolling at UCF in 2009. She has already graduated with a bachelor’s of science in psychology and began pursuing two master’s degrees in fall 2011. Since her graduate work started, she has carried a GPA of 3.75. She was named UCF’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2011.
She has been recognized as a NSCAA/Adidas Collegiate Scholar All-American, a three-time selection to the C-USA Academic Honor Roll and earned the Commissioner’s Medal (GPA of 3.75 or better) in 2011. This year, she was named to the C-USA All-Academic Team for the second-straight year.
Jewell has volunteered countless hours at numerous local organizations including: The Haven for Children (for abused and neglected youth); Szuba Guardian Care Solutions, Inc.; Women’s Center in Brevard; and Relay for Life. She has also served as the lead volunteer at the Creative School for Children and has worked as a volunteer coach at the Central Florida Kraze soccer fields.
Senior CLASS First-Team All-Americans