News

Rutgers’ Brianne Reed Wins the 2015 Senior CLASS Award® for Women’s Soccer

December 03, 2015

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (December 3, 2015) – Rutgers University center back Brianne Reed has been selected in nationwide balloting as the 2015 Senior CLASS Award® winner in NCAA® Division I women’s soccer.

The award, chosen by a vote of Division I women’s soccer coaches, national soccer media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I women’s soccer. In order to be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete in 10 NCAA sports and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“This is such an honor,” said Reed, who has started every game for the Scarlet Knights since her sophomore year. “I know this is such a prestigious award, and to be a Rutgers University representative is truly amazing. I put in a lot of hard work at this university, and for it to show on and off the field, in the classroom and in the community is truly an honor. This award speaks to our program as a whole and the kind of people we have on this team. Yes, I individually won this award, but for me it’s important to leave something like this behind for the program. I’ve gotten so much support from my fellow student-athletes, the local community, our staff and my teammates. I’m truly grateful.”

On the pitch, Reed has established herself as one of the nation’s top soccer players on one of the nation’s best teams. As part of the Final Four-bound Scarlet Knights, Reed earned first-team All-Big Ten honors this season as a senior and third-team All-America honors as a junior. She also was one of 28 women selected as a candidate for the 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy Award, which is given to the nation’s top collegiate men’s and women’s soccer players.

Off the field, the public health major is a three-time Dean’s List selection and was named an Academic All-Big Ten honoree as a junior. Reed also has been very active in leadership positions and community service on the Rutgers campus, including serving with RU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and participating on the WIB Student Panel and the Girls in Sports Day Panel.

“The players, staff, university and entire Rutgers family are so proud of Brianne for her accomplishment,” said Rutgers Head Coach Mike O’Neill. “This a very prestigious award, and she is very deserving.”

Outside of her classroom and school activities, Reed has made community outreach a consistent priority, serving both her campus and the local New Brunswick community. Over the course of her college career, she has volunteered her time with Read Across America, the Elijah’s Promise soup kitchen and local hospitals, and has participated in toy and book drives and visits to area schools.

“Brianne is truly the kind of athlete we hope gets recognized with the Senior CLASS Award,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award. “She’s demonstrated incredible excellence on and off the field throughout her career, most notably during this year’s run to the Final Four. Her brand of leadership and dedication is certainly worth rewarding, and we congratulate Brianne, her family, her team and the entire university on this honor.”

Women’s Soccer 2015 Winner

First Team

Second Team