After a record-breaking career at FGCU where she graduated as the program’s all-time assist leader, former Eagles guard DyTiesha Dunson will serve as the Atlantic Sun Conference’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.
Established in 1991 and now in its 26th year, the Woman of the Year award honors graduating student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leadership. NCAA conferences and independent schools have nominated 142 for this year’s award. Selected from a record 517 school nominees, these women represent 17 different sports spanning all three NCAA divisions. The selection committee will determine the top-3 nominees from each division and announces nine finalists in September. The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics selects the Woman of the Year, which will be announced Oct. 16.
As a double major in criminal justice and psychology, Dunson carried a 3.65 GPA. This past season, she was named to the ASUN All-Academic Team for the first time and was also tabbed as the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year.
“What a tremendous and well-deserved recognition for DyTiesha,” said FGCU head coach Karl Smesko. “As a team, we are very proud of her for all of her hard work and dedication both on and off the court.”
On the court, Dunson was a captain in 2015-16. Around campus, she helped support several organizations, most notably Project Help. She aided in promoting suicide awareness by providing information to students and creating a video about the topic. In the community, Dunson partnered with Project Help to spread awareness about sexual violence and assault, assisted in creating a website and sign to help save the manatees for Happehatchee, worked on a video to raise funds for women and children at the Abuse Counseling Treatment Center and helped develop skills of young athletes at FGCU’s basketball camps.