Aurora University recent graduate Nicci Bermudes has been named the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Woman of the Year for the 2015-2016 academic year, as chosen by the league's Senior Woman Administrators' Standing Committee and approved by the Director of Athletics Standing Committee. Additionally, Bermudes is the recipient of the 2015-2016 Aurora University Spartan Woman of the Year award.

"Both sports and extracurricular activities have given me discipline, self-control and confidence to deal with any stress that was thrown my way and to not only improve my life but give back as well," Bermudes said. "College has always been very important to me, not only for an education but to help me establish a career that I enjoy and that will provide me financial independence. Playing sports throughout my life taught me teamwork, patience, and leadership. The mental focus, physical assertion, and team atmosphere while playing sports will help me in my future of becoming a physician assistant."

She was a four-year member of the Spartans women's soccer team that won NACC regular season and tournament titles from 2012-2014. The 2014 Spartan team advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship round of 16, while the team also earned NCAA tournament berths her freshman and sophomore season.

She was a three-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-American, and a three-time College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American, including the 2015 Division III Academic All-American if the Year. The four-time All-NACC first team selection and three-time NACC offensive player of the year finished her career as the league's all-time leader scorer with 241 points. Her 100 career goals rank tied for first, while her 41 assists rank second all-time.

"Nicci has been a tremendous Spartan student-athlete," said AU Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Wellbeing / Senior Woman Administrator Nicki Pieart. "From her unprecedented athletic career, to her strong leadership skills and her performance in the classroom, she made the most of her four years here at AU and we are proud to call her an alumnus. The Woman of the Year award was established to honor student-athletes like Nicci. She has left her team, the program, the department and the university better than she found it and we could not be more pleased to honor her with the Spartan of the Year award and wish her luck as she moves forward in the next stage of her life."

Bermudes graduated in May with a degree in health science/pre-med as she accumulated a 3.93 GPA and was a four-time NACC scholar-athlete.
She volunteered in a number of community service projects including events at the Wackerlin Center of Faith, McCauley Manor Nursing Home, Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, Student Leadership Council and Mu Sigma Pi Club Hoops for Hope.

Each of the NACC's 12 members may nominate one female student-athlete for the annual award. The SWASC uses a combination of the following criteria in the selection of the award -- athletic excellence, academic achievement, service and leadership and personal statement -- and moves the award winner forward as the NACC's honoree for the NCAA's Woman of the Year award.

The NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

From the top 30, the selection committee determines the top three nominees from each division and announces the top nine finalists in September. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics then chooses from among those nine to determine the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year.

The 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced, and the Top 30 honorees celebrated, at the annual award ceremony October 16, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
 
Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Woman of the Year Award Recipients By Year:
2015-16: Nicci Bermudes, Aurora University
2014-15: Loretta Johnson, Aurora University
2013-14: Jenee Lange, Aurora University
2012-13: Torey DeLozier, Maranatha University
2011-12: Carol Cayo, MSOE
2010-11: Cait Hartman, Aurora University
2009-10: KC Blahnik, Lakeland University
2008-09: Megan Scheele, Edgewood College
2007-08: Catherine Chappell, MSOE
2006-07: Emily Henrich, Wisconsin Lutheran College