INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – UT Tyler softball alumnus Sam Schott has been named one of the top 30 finalists for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.
The award, established in 1991, is rooted in Title IX and recognizes female student-athletes who have completed their undergraduate studies and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers.
Schott was selected from a record-breaking 631 nominees submitted by member schools — a group that was then narrowed to 167 nominees at the conference level — the Top 30 honorees include 10 from each of the three NCAA divisions. Each honoree has demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. The honorees competed in a total of 14 NCAA championship sports and two NCAA Emerging Sports for Women. They have a variety of majors, including chemistry, mathematics, biology, education, engineering, psychology, nursing, computer science, journalism, sport management and more.
“Sam is a shining example of a true student-athlete,” head coach Mike Reed said. “Her dedication to her sport and to her academic pursuits are remarkable. Above all, it is Sam’s dedication and service to others that make her so deserving of this recognition. She continues to make us proud and it was an honor to be her coach.”
Schott was a four-year letterwinner for the Patriots, playing in 235 career games and making 211 career starts. She played a pivotal role in securing back-to-back national championships for the UT Tyler softball program in 2024 and 2025, a feat that had not been accomplished in Division II since 1997-1998.
Sam now has moved on from the softball field to the UT Tyler School of Medicine, where she is currently a first-year student in the class of 2029.
She was the 2025 recipient of the Elite 90 Award for softball, given to the athlete with the highest GPA at the final site of competition. She has twice been named a CSC Academic All-American, is a three-time CSC Academic All-District honoree, earned the 2024 Lone Star Conference Fred Jacoby Female Academic Athlete of the Year, the 2024 LSC Academic Player of the Year, and a recipient of the 2025 LSC Scholar-Athlete Award.
Athletically, she now holds the school record for sacrifice hits in a season, is a two-time All-LSC Golden Glove winner, three-time All-Region selection, and a three-time All-LSC selection, all while hitting .327 for her career with 59 extra base hits, 137 RBI, and an on-base percentage of .466.
She served as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes speaker, and volunteered throughout her collegiate career with Refuge International, providing supplies and support for medical missions across the globe. She has traveled multiple times to Guatemala to help provide primary care and surgical services, and supports community initiatives throughout Tyler, including Special Olympics, Miracle League, and the East Texas Food Bank.
From these 30 finalists, the Woman of the Year Selection Committee will choose the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year, who will be announced on the afternoon of November 5th before a formal recognition at the NCAA Convention in January.
