Nov. 6, 2008
Center Valley, Pa.--American senior attacker Irene Schickhardt was named Patriot League Field Hockey Scholar Athlete of the Year at Thursday's Patriot League field hockey banquet. Schickhardt has had one of the most successful careers in Patriot League history, both on the field and off. She is one of 13 All-American selections in Patriot League history. She has been a four-time All-Patriot League selection, while leading the Eagles to three Patriot League championships and two NCAA Tournament berths. Her squad has been ranked in the top 20 during every week of her college career.
Her work in the classroom has been equally notable. According to her head coach, Steve Jennings, When confronted with her most difficult class, an unsympathetic professor, and no tutors who understood the subject, Schickhardt walked two miles to Georgetown University and found a tutor who was willing to help her. After a tough start in the class, she finished with a perfect score on the final exam. She currently holds a 3.50 grade point average in mathematics.
Schickhardt and her teammates will open the Patriot League Tournament Friday at 11 a.m. against fourth-seeded Colgate. In the other semifinal, second-seeded Lafayette will battle third-seeded Bucknell.
