The Honda Cup, awarded to the top female college athlete, celebrated its 50th anniversary in New York, reuniting past winners including UCLA greats Ann Meyers Drysdale and Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
A Legacy of Excellence
The award, given annually, recognizes not only athletic performance but also leadership, academics, and community service. Jen Rizzotti, a 1996 winner, praised the award for honoring well-rounded athletes who give back to their communities.
Past winners, including Delta State basketball great Lusia Harris and UCLA’s Lauren Betts, gathered to celebrate the milestone. The Bruins have produced the most Honda Cup champions with seven, including softball star Rachel Garcia, who won the award twice.
The ceremony has evolved over the years, with the first award given to Lusia Harris in 1977. The event has been held in New York since 2024, and this year’s ceremony saw 20 former winners in attendance, including Julie Shea, the first non-basketball winner, and Stanford volleyball player Ogonna Nnamani, who was inspired by Joyner-Kersee’s Olympic success despite struggling with asthma.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
