Johnson named MAAC Student Athlete of the Year | Press Releases

Fairfield University graduate Ahna Johnson (Hamden, Conn.) has added another award to her trophy case. On Tuesday she was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Female Student Athlete of the Year as voted on by the league's sports information directors. Iona College cross country runner Andrew Ledwith was named the Male Student Athlete of the Year.

"These two All-Americans are representative of the MAAC's mission to have student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the fields of play," MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor noted. "I congratulate Ahna and Andrew, their coaches and institutions for their accomplishment and wish them continued success in their careers."

The MAAC Committee on Athletic Administration created the New York Lottery MAAC Student-Athlete of the Year in October 2001 to recognize overall excellence in the classroom, on the playing field and in the community. Each MAAC member selected one male and one female nominee for the honor. The conference sports information directors voted to determine one overall winner for men and women. The conference awarded honorable mention awards to each nominee. Nominees must have at least a 3.2 overall grade point average, be in their second year of residence at the institution, and be a starter or important reserve on their team.

"Ahna is truly deserving of this award and we are extremely proud of all of her accomplishments," said Eugene P. Doris, Fairfield's Director of Athletics. "Throughout her career she epitomized the Jesuit ideals of Fairfield University and excelled in the classroom, on the field, and in service to the community. For her to be selected for this award from among all the outstanding student-athletes in the conference, is a great tribute to Ahna."

Johnson, also the conferences NCAA Woman of the Year nominee, has accumulated numerous academic awards this season, highlighted by her being named an ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-America selected by CoSida. She was also named to the NSCAA/adidas First Team Scholar All-America. Johnson, who earned degree's in Physics and Information Systems, was a three-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection during her playing career.

Johnson has also been recognized within the University itself. She earned one of the institution's top awards, The St. Ignatius Loyola Medal, presented annually to an outstanding full-time undergraduate senior who has committed him/herself to the Jesuit education ideals of maintaining high academic standards in addition to substantial involvement in community service and/or extracurricular activities. She was also named the Fairfield Female Student-Athlete of the Year award, as well as being selected as the Alumni Association's Female Scholar Athlete Award.

A team captain of the women's soccer team in 2008, Johnson led the Stags to a MAAC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. She earned NSCAA/adidas Third Team All-America accolades, as well as being selected Fourth-Team All-America by SoccerBuzz. Johnson was named the MAAC's Offensive Player of the Year, earned tournament MVP honors and was selected to the All-MAAC First Team for the third time.