CLEVELAND, OHIO – The Mid-American Conference announced today that Halle Popson (Solon, Ohio/Solon) of Miami University is the 2008 recipient of the Nan Harvey Sportsmanship Award.
Nan Harvey was a part of the University at Buffalo family for over two decades as a student, coach and administrator before passing away in 2003 after a three-year battle with cancer. The progression of women’s athletics is, no doubt, a tribute to the vision she had. Her hard work and never give up attitude for pushing forward were all self driven and qualities that can not be taught or coached. The Nan Harvey Sportsmanship Award is given to a softball player who demonstrates the various qualities that Harvey herself had.
Popson majored in Heath Studies at Miami University. During her time as a RedHawk she received numerous awards including the 2008 Leann Grimes Davidge Award, 2008 Women’s Leadership Award given by Miami University Women’s Center, 2008 Miami University President’s Distinguished Service Award, and the 2008 Miami University Senior Service Leadership Award. On the field she was named to the All-MAC Second Team (2008), All-MAC First Team (2007) and All-MAC Tournament Team (2005).
Popson was the leading force behind a study to examine the relationship between risk factors for sexual assault, alcohol use, and the alpha female personality. Halle presented her study, with Dr. Rose Marie Ward, at the Mid-American Conference Winter Meetings and received unanimous support from the senior administrators, athletic directors, and the faculty advisors. All of the MAC schools have pledged their support in requesting female athletes participate in this nation-wide study. Because of Halle, the research project was modified, the project advanced rapidly, and it grew in scope to include all schools in the Mid-American Conference. The study has already been approved by the Institutional Review Board.
Her current research involves multiple universities and multiple athletic teams. She's helped in recruiting and retaining many of the sites involved in the study, personally interviewed many of the respondents, and compiled the 200 question survey. Halle has been able to excel in this project--even though it was her very first independent research experience.
Beyond the classroom and research activities, Halle has been an outstanding student-athlete. She is a leader on the Miami softball team, as one of the team's co-captains. Popson has set a number of school records this season, including career hits (229), runs (129), and walks (76). She was named to the MAC All-Tournament team her freshman season, All-MAC first team her junior season and All-MAC second team her senior year.
Popson has modeled a life of service to the community through her volunteer work in New Orleans where she spent time with single women with families trying to rebuild their homes and lives, the public schools, softball clinics, an AIDs walk, many on-campus multicultural events, anti-smoking initiatives, and with the senior citizen events at the Knolls, a retirement community in Oxford.
What the MAC Coaches have to say about Popson:
“I had the pleasure of watching Halle as both a high school and college athlete and was always impressed not only with her overall athletics ability, but also her ability to naturally lead her team and serve as a good teammate. Halle has overcome tough situations and was still able to succeed in all aspects of college life. For a kid to have that kind of internal fortitude is impressive and deserving of acknowledgement.” – Julie Jones, Akron University Head Softball Coach
“Popson is a student athlete that speaks volumes about our game. From the outside looking in I think she has a great personality, is a fierce competitor, and I know that she does things right away from the softball field. She had a great career, and I'm sure there are bigger things ahead for her.” - Craig Nicholson, Ball State University Head Softball Coach
“Halle was an incredible competitor, as and opposing player she displayed great leadership and sportsmanship on and off the field. She was an outstanding first baseman and was a threat at the plate and on the base path.” - Karen Baird, Eastern Michigan University Head Softball Coach
