HAMILTON – Colgate men's basketball's Jeff Woodward and women's lacrosse's Kyra Lucey were voted the 2023-24 Patriot League Sportsmanship Award honorees when the League office announced honors. Lucey and Woodward were selected by administrators of the League's institutional Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 
Lucey and Woodward are among the seven Raiders to claim the Patriot League Sportsmanship Award. They are the third pair of Colgate student-athletes to sweep the honors.
 
The Patriot League Award is in its 19th year, created to honor student-athletes that uphold the principles on which the League was founded – fairness, equality, and excellence in academics and athletics, in addition to the NCAA's core principles of respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility. The League's 10 full-member institutions are eligible to nominate one male and one female student-athlete. 

Patriot League Sportsmanship Award
 
Jeff Woodward
Colgate Men's Basketball
 
Jeff Woodward stands out on the court and on campus at Colgate University. Certainly, his broad, 6-11 frame towers above the average student, while the bushy beard and boisterous persona also help. However, for those who know Woodward, the exterior qualities are just the surface of what Audubon, Pa., represents.
 
"Jeff never thinks twice about taking on more if it means giving back to others," Colgate Associate Athletics Director for Leadership and Inclusion Meghan Kovac said. "When people think about Colgate men's basketball and their impact, Jeff is the first person who comes to mind for many. Not because of what he does on the court, though that helps, but because of his continuous drive to always be there for others and do whatever he can to make life better for whomever he can."
 
Woodward was profiled by the Patriot League last year for his work at Camp Ramapo (Patriot League feature), a residential summer camp that serves young people affected by social, emotional, or learning challenges, including those on the autism spectrum. The experience, one he has described with passion, has shaped his post-collegiate goals as he aspires to earn his master's degree before going into a career as a psychologist or mental health counselor.
 
His awareness of the importance of mental health has shaped his interactions with his peers at Colgate, establishing himself as a popular figure and trusted confidant. "Jeff has done so much incredible work already in his time at Colgate to uplift student-athletes and ensure that their mental healthy is being taken care of," Kovac said. "Regardless of whether he knows them or has spent any time with them or not, Jeff is the first person to ask someone how they are doing, and if they give any inclination that they aren't doing alright, he's going to make sure they are taken care of."
 
Woodward's selfless character has also been on display throughout his collegiate playing career, where the 2024 All-Patriot League Tournament selection has helped the Raiders to an unprecedented four-consecutive League titles.
 
"On the basketball court, Jeff's talent and skill are undeniable. He excels as a player, demonstrating exceptional skill and basketball IQ," senior teammate Alex Capitano pointed out. "However, what truly sets Jeff apart is his willingness to prioritize the team's success above personal recognition. Despite being more than capable of holding the starting center position on most teams in America, Jeff selflessly chose to take a back seat in that role for the betterment of our team without any complaints. His humility and team-first mentality have earned him the admiration and respect of his teammates and coaches.

"Jeff epitomizes everything that the Patriot League Sportsmanship Award represents," Capitano continued. "His commitment to doing the right thing aligns seamlessly with our team's philosophy, and his actions consistently reflect this statement. Whether it's on the court, in the classroom, or his interactions with others, Jeff consistently demonstrates integrity, respect, and selflessness."

Kyra Lucey
Colgate Women's Lacrosse
 
Kyra Lucey arrived in Hamilton, N.Y. during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season under a new coaching staff. "Kyra embodies leadership," senior teammate Meg Cole said. "She is poised, respectful, confident, and powerful, epitomizing a strong female leader."
 
She persevered through injury at the start of several seasons while setting a positive example for her teammates in her work to return to the field. Despite the injuries, Lucey starred for the Raiders' throughout her career, becoming the program's all-time assists leader (87) during the 2024 season while earning All-Patriot League honors for the second straight season and guiding Colgate to a berth in the six-team Patriot League Championship.
 
Lucey's athletic achievements have not defined her career in Hamilton, N.Y. Her commitment to making Colgate a safer, more welcoming environment has been on display through her work as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) for Colgate's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

She has served as an executive member of Athlete Ally, an organization committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive environment for athletes who identify as LGBTQ+. She has also been a Campus Ambassador and Workshop Facilitator for the One Love Foundation, an organization committed to educating young adults on the importance of healthy relationships and the signs of abuse.
 
"Kyra is constantly looking to see how she can make the place she's at better and how she can help people individually reach their goals," Kovac said. 

"In talking with Kyra at the end of this year, I mentioned all the amazing things she's done in her career. She immediately started talking about the people who put her in those positions to be able to succeed and all the great things they have done. Kyra consistently puts others before her, even when talking about accolades, and that's one of the reasons she will forever make an impact, no matter where she goes."