FRISCO, Texas - Madeline Marrone of the University of the Incarnate Word's track and field team was awarded the Southland Conference F.L. McDonald Scholarship, announced the conference on Wednesday. This is the first time in UIW history a student-athlete has received this honor.
 
"I am very grateful and honored to be named the 2022 Southland Conference F.L. McDonald Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient," stated Marrone. "My time as a student-athlete at UIW prepared me for my future aspirations in the occupational therapy field. It allowed me to further nurture the virtues of patience, humble confidence, and teamwork."
 
The F.L. McDonald Scholarship is the league's ultimate academic honor for graduating student-athletes. The award is presented annually to one female and one male student-athlete and is selected by the Southland Conference Faculty Athletic Representative Committee. The $5,000 scholarship must be applied to graduate study at an institution of the recipient's choice.
 
The award was established in 1996 in memory of Dr. F.L. McDonald, former president of Lamar University. McDonald was serving as Lamar's president in 1963 when the Southland Conference was established. He is considered one of the league's founding fathers and was inducted into the 1999 Southland Hall of Honor
 
Marrone, a native of Austin, Texas, graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Sciences. She graduated with a 3.93 GPA and is currently applying to occupational therapy programs.
 
Marrone had a long list of academic achievements during her time at UIW. She earned both the Dean's List and SLC Commissioner's Honor Roll accolades from the fall of 2018 to spring of 2022 and was named to the SLC All-Academic team in 2022. She was awarded the Cardinal Spirit Award this year, is a member of the Honors Program, and is the Community Service Chair for the UIW Special Olympics College Club. Marrone is also a member of the GROW Leadership Program at UIW and is a Cardinal Peer Resource. During her time at UIW, she accumulated 107 community service hours, with 17.5 coming from this year.
 
"Maddie is so deserving of this award," said head coach Dr. Derek Riedel. "She lives her life with such joy, commitment, loyalty and love. I can't think of a better human being to be UIW's first-ever recipient of this prestigious award. Maddie inspired our program for four years with an unwavering commitment to excellence and used the gifts that God gave her to bless others. I know that once she earns her occupational therapy degree, she is going to have a long career of service to others."
 
Marrone competed in the 2022 SLC Championship where she raced in the 3,000 steeplechase, running an 11:49.92 and placing seventh. She also finished second in the 3,000 steeplechase at the UTSA Invitational with a final time of 12:00.11.
 
"My collegiate experience was enhanced through the guidance and support from the UIW track and field coaches, my teammates, the Honors Program and the Rehabilitative Sciences faculties," added Marrone. "My sincere gratitude goes out to Amanda Pulido for being a wonderful mentor to me over the last four years and for providing me with this opportunity. Thank you for all of your encouragement, kindness, and dedication. Go Cards!"