ASTON, Pa. – Immaculata University senior softball player Holly Schell was named the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Co-Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, announced by the conference office Wednesday afternoon. Schell shares the honor with Cabrini's Lindsey Atzert, who was a member of both the Cavaliers' field hockey and softball squads.
 
The CSAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Award recognizes student-athletes for their academic, athletic and community service achievements. Each institution may nominate one male and one female for inclusion on the ballot produced by the conference office. The ballot is voted on by the Director of Athletics and Sports Information Director at each member institution, for a total of two votes per school per gender.
 
In order to eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be a junior or senior with at least one year in residence prior to his/her nomination; have demonstrated athletic success, earned a varsity letter, and been a key contribution to the team; have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.20; and compete in a NCAA sanctioned sport.
 
This is the second-straight year that an Immaculata student-athlete has received the CSAC's highest academic award. Former Mighty Mac cross country and track & field student-athlete Kevin Moore won the CSAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award in 2012.
 
Schell was a four-year starter for the Mighty Macs, who was named the 2013 CSAC Player of the Year while earning First Team All-CSAC honors for the second-straight season. Schell was named to the Second Team All-CSAC in 2011.
 
She has started all 40 games for the Mighty Macs during the 2013 regular season, producing 48 hits, 22 RBI and 33 runs scored, all team highs. She led the team was the highest batting average at .356, while producing seven doubles, three triples and two home runs. She had a .496 slugging percentage and .417 on-base percentage, and was 12-for-14 on stolen base attempts.
 
The Sewell, N.J., native maintained a 3.98 grade-point average while majoring in Elementary/Special Education with a concentration in English. She was named to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Softball Team three-straight seasons (2011-2013). She also garnered Third Team Capital One Academic All-America Division III by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) this past May, was named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-District 4 First Team and CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District 2 Third Team in 2011, selected a 2012 and 2011 NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete and is a four-time CSAC Spring All-Academic Team selection.
 
She served as a member of the Immaculata University Undergraduate Honor Society since her sophomore year, serving as President during 2011-12, and as Treasurer during 2012-13. She was also part of Who's Who in America's Colleges and Universities, Delta Epsilon Sigma, Kappa Gamma Pi and the Education Honor Society, as well as earned Immaculata Dean's List seven semesters.
 
Schell was involved in the following organizations on campus including Student Government Association, Executive President (2012-2013), Student Government Association, Executive Secretary (2011-2012), Programing Board (2009-2012) and Residence Council (2009-2012).
 
The senior shortstop provided personal softball lessons, participated in softball clinics, worked with the Cradles to Crayons Service trip for the Student Government Association and took part in the FYE Service Trip to Philadelphia, Pa.
 
Schell was also named as one of the CSAC's nominees for the NCAA Woman of the Year earlier this week.
 
Ryan Jones, a member of Marywood's men's soccer team, is the winner of the 2013 CSAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award.