RICHMOND — Recent William & Mary field hockey graduate Jayden Moon was named the recipient of the prestigious CAA Leadership and Sport Excellence Award for the 2023-24 academic year, the league announced on Wednesday.
In total, the league handed out 21 awards among its league-sponsored sports. The award, which has been handed out since 2017-18, mimics the Chuck Boone Leadership Award in football and the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award in men’s and women’s basketball. One student-athlete, who represents the highest standards of teamwork, integrity, leadership and sportsmanship in his or her academic and athletic achievements, was selected in each of the other 21 sports sponsored by the Conference.
After evaluating the nominees, the CAA’s Faculty Athletic Representatives voted on the winners. In total, nine Tribe student-athletes have been honored since the awards inception in 2017-18.
On the field in 2023, Moon was an All-CAA First Team selection as a starting midfielder and captain. She started all 21 matches in helping the Tribe to its second CAA Championship. Moon finished with two goals and six assists during her senior season and led the Tribe to its second NCAA Tournament victory, knocking off Sacred Heart in the opening round. Moon also added NFHCA All-South Region Second Team accolades and was named to the CAA All-Tournament Team.
The Spotsylvania, Va., native was selected to the U21 National Team in 2023 and served as a reserve for the Junior Pan American Championship and the Junior World Cup teams. She was also selected to play in the Senior Nexus Championship in the summer 2022 and the summer 2023.
Academically, Moon was a 2023-24 CAA Institutional Female Scholar-Athlete Award winner, one of 14 finalists for the student-athlete of the year award. A four-time NFHCA All-Academic Squad selection and a four-year W&M Provost Award winner, she earned W&M’s Martha Barksdale Award as a rising senior who was an outstanding student and teammate. She earned her degree from W&M in biology in May and is attending graduate school in veterinary medicine and animal science.
In the community, Moon volunteered for the Jonathan Allen’s Marine Research Lab and Paradoc’s Animal Hospital. She also interned with Ethos Veterinary Health over the last year.
