The NCAA Woman of the Year program, established in 1991, honors the academic achievements, athletic excellence, community service and leadership of graduating women student-athletes from all three NCAA divisions. Hundreds of student-athletes are nominated by their schools each year, with conferences recognizing their top selections. Each fall, the Top 30 honorees, 10 from each division, are named. The NCAA Woman of the Year is then selected from among those finalists and celebrated during the NCAA Convention. The 2026 NCAA Woman of the Year is Sam Schott. Growing up in Texas and continuing her journey at UT Tyler, Sam’s roots run as deep as her impact. Her path was shaped not just by success, but by the people who stood beside her every step of the way and that community remains central to the legacy she continues to build. Raised by a network of people who believed in her, Sam credits that community for shaping who she is, both on and off the field. From early lessons in leadership t...