MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University women’s soccer junior defender Kadeisha Buchanan was named the 2015 Hardman Award recipient on Feb. 7. The honor, awarded to the West Virginia Amateur Athlete the of the Year, was presented by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association at the 70th Annual Victory Awards Dinner on Sunday, May 15, at the Charleston Civic Center.
Buchanan was the first WVU female athlete to win the honor, the fifth female ever, and the first since Mary Lou Retton earned the award in 1984.
Unfortunately, Buchanan was unable to attend the dinner, as she is currently training with the Canadian National Team in preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. WVU Senior Associate Athletic Director/Sports Administration, SWA Terri Howes attended the dinner and accepted the award on Buchanan’s behalf. Below is Buchanan’s acceptance speech Howes delivered.
Good Evening Everyone!
I would first like to thank the West Virginia Sports Writers Association for hosting tonight’s banquet, the members of the West Virginia Sports Writers and all who played a role in nominating me for the 2015 Hardman Award.
It’s truly an honor to be receiving the Hardman Award, not only as a female athlete but also as a soccer player. It’s a cool feeling to be listed in the record book alongside greats like Jerry West and Mary Lou Retton. To be the fifth female and second soccer player to be recognized for the Hardman Award is amazing.
The feelings that come with this award are very different than the feelings I have when I receive other honors. As a Canadian, receiving the West Virginia Amateur Athlete of the Year Award shows that the state of West Virginia welcomes me. I am very proud that I can represent this state and West Virginia University.
I run into WVU fans all around the globe. Just last year, as I was playing for Canada at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Montreal, Quebec, I remember seeing a big Gold and Blue Flying WVU flag in the stands during our match against Netherlands. A sense of warmth, welcome and pride rushed through me at that moment.
I would like to take this time to give a huge thanks to my WVU teammates and especially our coaching staff - head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown, associate head coach Lisa Stoia and assistant coach Marisa Kanela - for always pushing me beyond my limits, mentoring me each day, providing constant support and being in my corner whenever I need anything. I am appreciative of being a part of the Mountaineer Family.
I also would like to thank all of West Virginia University’s faculty members for all that they do behind the scenes to make sure that all student-athletes, including myself, only focus on education and sports.
Last but not least, a big thank you to my mom for her hard work and dedication, to my father for his love for the game and to my brothers and sisters for all their sacrifices, their love and their support – you are making my dreams possible.
Thank you!
Kadeisha Buchanan
