Kerri Hanks

Classroom

Hanks graduated one semester early in May 2008 from Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters with her bachelor’s degree in sociology and a 3.12 cumulative grade point average and is beginning graduate studies at Notre Dame this fall.

Character

With teams turning even more attention to her in 2007 (as the defending Hermann Trophy recipient), Hanks quickly shifted her offensive focus to one of a playmaker on the front line, setting up her teammates to the tune of an NCAA-leading 21 assists and helping Notre Dame to its 9th NCAA College Cup national semifinal appearance in the past 14 seasons (and 3rd in 4 years) … her unselfish play also sparked a 17-game unbeaten string (16-0-1) for the Irish during the final 2 months of the season, a string that included 3 wins over Top 25 opponents and the BIG EAST regular-season title.

Community

Kerri takes an active role in the numerous charity works performed by the Notre Dame women’s soccer team, including the ND Pediatric Christmas Party, Christmas in April (similar to Habitat for Humanity), reading at local grade schools and frequent youth soccer clinics. Hanks and her teammates also earned the 2006-07 Trophy Award from the Notre Dame department of athletics, an award given annually to the Fighting Irish athletics team that leads the way in community service.

Competition

Hanks is widely considered one of the nation’s premier players. She is a candidate for the 2008 Hermann Trophy and a preseason All-America selection by Soccer America. Hanks was unanimously chosen to the 2008 All-BIG EAST Preseason Team and is a 3-time All-American (2-time first-team selection). Kerri was the 2006 Hermann Trophy recipient presented to the premier player in collegiate women’s soccer. She is also a 3-time first-team all-BIG EAST (including 2006 BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year) and holds more than 60 records at Notre Dame. Kerri enters her senior season with 64 goals and 58 assists, putting her on verge of becoming 6th NCAA Division I player to record 60 goals and 60 assists in her career—she could also be the 3rd D-I player ever to post 70G-70A in her career, joining the legendary Mia Hamm (North Carolina) and Notre Dame’s own Jenny Streiffer. In addition, Hanks has led nation in assists the past 2 years and in goals and assists in 2006, joining Hamm as the only players ever to pull off that feat.