MC's Chadwell named OAC Scholar-Athlete-of-the-Month for January
Senior in first year with women's basketball team

Jan. 9, 2007
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio — Marietta College senior Katie Chadwell (Georgetown) has been named OAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month for January.

In its ninth year of existence, the OAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month honors an exceptional student-athlete on a monthly basis. Criteria for the award consist of the student-athlete being of sophomore, junior or senior status, competition in a sport that is in-season, sportsmanlike conduct and carrying at least a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0.

Four years ago, Chadwell was convinced that her days playing basketball were over following three surgeries to repair athletic-related knee injuries. Entering her final year at Marietta College, Chadwell has defied the odds and returned to the hardwood to play the game that she loves.

"It means a lot to me to have the opportunity to play basketball for one more season," said Chadwell. "I already knew most of the girls on the team, and they were really supportive of my decision play."

Chadwell has earned a starting spot in each of the last three games and is averaging 2.0 points this season. All of the hard work that she put into her rehabilitation proved its worth when she connected on her first basket, a three-point field goal against Myers University on November 26. The look on her face when it swished the net was priceless.

While she says that she'd like to see her stats improve, Chadwell admits that just being on the floor brings a sense of accomplishment and will help her later in life once she decides what is in store for her after Marietta College.

The organizational communication major, who is also working toward a minor in art and a certificate in leadership, is also a two-year letterman on the Pioneers' tennis team.  Chadwell, who carries a 4.0 grade point average into her final semester at Marietta College, was named an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American and Academic All-OAC tennis player this past spring.

"There is stuff you can learn playing athletics that you can't just learn in the classroom," said Chadwell. "While I initially selected Marietta College because of academic reasons, being able to play not just one sport but two will make my memories of school that much more special."

When not playing basketball or tennis, Chadwell works for Pioneer men's basketball coach Doug Foote and is active in the Student Alumni Council, serving as Vice President of public relations, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, where she serves as the Vice President. She is also a member of the Dean's High Honor List, Athletics Honor Roll, Alpha Lambda Delta (freshman honorary) and Lambda Pi Eta (communication honorary).

This spring, Chadwell will work on her senior capstone project, which will look into how participation in athletics correlates to communication confidence. Until then, she will just try to enjoy herself and relish the time on the court that she has left.