Hofstra University Cross Country runner Alan Hetherington has been named the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) Men’s PlayMaker of the Month for December 2016.
University of Nebraska softball player Lotte Sjulin was named the NCAS Women’s PlayMaker of the Month.
The PlayMaker of the Month Award recognizes the academic achievement and community service efforts of student-athletes at NCAS member institutions. Nominated by coaches, administrators, and teammates, current student-athletes must carry a 3.0 grade point average, and must be active participants in community/volunteer services and/or social change advocacy.
Hetherington, a native of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, completed his third season on the Pride Men’s Cross Country Team in 2016. Hetherington served as the Colonial Athletic Association SAAC representative to the NCAA for the 2015-16 academic year. He is also in his second year as his team’s SAAC representative and his first year as Hofstra’s SAAC Vice President. During the fall semester, Hetherington and his SAAC colleagues filled shoeboxes with gifts for children and donated them to a local hospital.
Hetherington serves on “It’s On Us Committee” as the Co- Chair of SAAW: Sexual Assault Awareness Week. The purpose of this group is to help bring awareness and provide support services to those with questions and concerns. This April, Hetherington will assist in bringing awareness and promoting events that will be held for Sexual Assault Awareness week. Hetherington also volunteers with “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island,” “Shake-A-Rake,” “Rolling Thunder” (an organization that puts on weekly events for autistic children), ROTC, “Girls on the Run,” (an organization that helps inspire young girls to be healthy and confident, and “One Love Foundation.”
Hetherington, who was also voted to the 2015-16 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country Academic All-District team, was also named the 2015 CAA Men’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He earned CAA Cross Country All-Academic team honors as well the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award in both 2015 and 2016. Hetherington is a three-time Dean’s List honoree and a two-time Provost’s List honoree for earning a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Currently, he is carrying a 3.96 GPA, majoring in biology with a minor in biochemistry.
Hetherington has competed in all 18 cross country meets since his arrival at Hofstra. In 2015, he recorded the 11th-best 8K time in school history of 25:43 at the CAA Championships and then posted the 23rd-best 10K time of 33:47 at the NCAA Division I Northeast Regional Championship in Boston.
For 32 years, the mission of the NCAS has been to “use the power of sport to affect positive social change.” We educate and empower individuals and organizations by inspiring values-based thinking leading to actions that promote social responsibility and equality. Through Dr. Lapchick’s leadership, the NCAS has improved college student-athlete graduation rates, advocates for issues of diversity that plague athletic organizations, and creates programs to affect social change in sports and society.
For more information about the NCAS PlayMaker of the Month Award, visit the NCAS website at www.ncasports.org/services/playmakers-of-the-month.
