CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Former Loyola Maryland men’s lacrosse All-American Pat Spencer and current Navy women’s lacrosse assistant coach Meg Taylor have been named two of 33 semifinalists for the James E. Sullivan Award, given annually to the top amateur athlete in the United States.
 
The award, presented by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has been presented since 1930, honoring an illustrious list of recipients which include: Bobby Jones (1930), Doc Blanchard (1945), Wilma Rudolph (1961), Bill Bradley (1965), Mark Spitz (1970), Bill Walton (1973), Bruce Jenner (1976), Carl Lewis (1981), Janet Evans (1989), Peyton Manning (1997), Michael Phelps (2003), Tim Tebow (2007), Shawn Johnson (2008), Missy Franklin (2012), Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds (2015) and more.
 
As part of the voting process for the award, fans can vote for Spencer or Taylor online by CLICKING HERE.
 
SPENCER NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR SULLIVAN AWARD
Nearly a year after his graduation from Loyola University Maryland, men's lacrosse All-American Pat Spencer achieved another first for a Greyhounds student-athlete when he was named a semifinalist for the James E. Sullivan Award, an honor given yearly to the top amateur athlete in the United States. Last year, Spencer concluded his lacrosse career as the most-decorated player in Loyola history. He became the school's first recipient of the Tewaaraton Award as the nation's top player. Spencer is the first player in Patriot League history to earn the conference's Offensive Player of the Year honors all four years, was a four-time All-Patriot League First Team honoree and earned the organization's Rookie of the Year trophy in 2016.
LOYOLA MARYLAND RELEASE
 
WOMEN’S LACROSSE ASSISTANT COACH MEG TAYLOR UP FOR SULLIVAN AWARD
Navy volunteer assistant coach Megan Taylor, one of the most decorated goalies in women's lacrosse history, is a semifinalist for the James E. Sullivan Award, an honor given yearly to the top amateur athlete in the United States. Taylor capped off her collegiate career at University of Maryland in 2019, completing arguably the best career ever by a collegiate goalie. Winning her second national championship in 2019, Taylor became the first goalie ever, women or men, to win the prestigious Tewaaraton Award, given to the best player in the sport.
NAVY RELEASE
 
ABOUT THE JAMES E. SULLIVAN AWARD
The AAU James E. Sullivan Award annually recognizes the outstanding amateur athlete whose outstanding athletic accomplishments are complemented by qualities of leadership, character and sportsmanship. Winners achieve great success on a national and/or international stage through competition in collegiate athletics, Olympic pursuit or similar high profile competitions. Presented by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), the AAU Sullivan Award symbolizes the fostering of a community of respected amateur athletes whose example provides a great model to our AAU athletes.
 
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.