Michelle Woods

Classroom

Michelle Woods has already graduated from the University of Miami, one of the nation’s top institutions, after wrapping up her undergraduate studies. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree in sociology in August 2015, Woods enrolled in graduate school at Miami to further her education, while continuing her athletic career as well. Woods is currently pursuing a master’s degree in liberal arts. The Naples, Fla., native is scheduled to conclude her coursework and finish the program in May 2016.

Character

A kind and considerate person, Michelle Woods had a very serious injury from a major car accident on July 3, 2013. Woods was in a head-on collision that she has stated changed her life. It was determined that Woods had fractured her sternum. She had surgery, and a titanium plate was used to repair the fracture. Woods had a lengthy, grueling rehab process that included a lot of work on her upper body strength and cardiovascular fitness, as well as her confidence. Her doctor stated that Woods had a smile on her face throughout the difficult process. The titanium plate from surgery is still in her chest to this day, but neither that nor the injury itself stopped Woods from continuing to play the sport she loves.

Woods was an active member of the team in 2013-14, despite not being able to play in games. In her return to the court last past season, Woods’ work ethic was palpable. She was almost always one of the first on the court to shoot before games. Well-respected by both her teammates and her coaches, Woods led by example last year, and her teammates followed suit. She has been named a co-captain for the 2015-16 season. In her return from injury last year, Woods posted career highs in 11 categories, matched her career high in starts and had 19 fewer turnovers than she did in 2012-13, despite playing an additional 158 minutes. Her hard work clearly paid off, and it still is today.

Community

Even in just the last two years alone, Michelle Woods has seized the opportunities to participate in a variety of community service activities in the Miami/Coral Gables, Fla., area. Woods took part in the AIDS Walk-Miami in April 2014 and few months later helped with Stand Up For Kids events, further giving her time to the community. Around Thanksgiving 2014, Woods went to Carver Elementary School to spend time with children, as well as help distribute food items to the students at the school. Additionally, Woods took part in the inaugural Edna Shalala U5K Walk/Run, which raised money for women’s athletics at the University of Miami and honored the late mother of former school president Donna Shalala. Most recently, Woods was one of a few players on the team to spend some time visiting young children at Camp Choee, talking with them, dancing and playing games. Woods has also been active in the UM campus community, attending media training, a professional career panel and a student-athlete career/internship fair. She has given of her time to the community in a variety of ways both on and around the University of Miami campus.

Competition

Michelle Woods has been a regular on the hardwood for the University of Miami, playing in 95 of 97 games over her first three seasons and logging 30 starts in her last two. She is on pace to finish in the top 10, and potentially top five, at Miami in games played. At the beginning of the season, Woods was three steals away from 100 in her career and had logged 170 assists thus far. She made an immediate impact as a freshman, ranking top five in multiple categories on a team that went 26-6 (14-2 ACC). The next season, Woods nearly doubled her minutes per game and ranked third on the Hurricanes in three-pointers made and in assists, as well as fourth in steals. After missing the 2013-14 season due to injury, Woods had a strong return to the court in 2014-15, developing into one of the key players on a team that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Woods played in all 33 games and finished second on the team in assists, free throws made and free throws attempted, as well as third in three-pointers made, points and minutes. The 5-foot-8 guard scored in double-digits 13 times, including in 10 of the final 17 games of the season. After averaging 4.6 points and 1.4 assists in the first nine games upon her return to the court, she got back in the groove from her injury, posting 9.9 points and a team-high 2.5 assists per game in the last 24 contests of 2014-15.