Senior forward Katie Redding (Havertown, Pa./Haverford), the lone two-time All-American in Scranton field hockey program history, has been selected as The University's 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee.
Eligible female student-athletes are nominated by their member school. Each conference office then reviews the nominations from its core member schools (and sponsored sports) and submits its conference nominee(s) to the NCAA. Then, in October, the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee identifies the Top 30 – 10 from each division – and from there selects three finalists from each division. The Committee on Women's Athletics then selects the winner from the nine finalists.
The 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced in January at the NCAA Convention.
Redding is the second field hockey student-athlete in three years to be selected as Scranton's nominee following Allie Benadon in 2022.
In recent years, three of Scranton's nominees have gone on to be selected as the Landmark Conference nominee with Erica Licari (women's soccer, 2019), Becca Russo (women's lacrosse/soccer, 2020) and Teresa Hegarty (women's soccer, 2023).
"I am so thrilled that Katie has been chosen as The University of Scranton's NCAA Woman of the Year nominee. Katie truly exemplifies what it means to be a Division III student-athlete and a University of Scranton Royal. Whether she is on the field or in the classroom, Katie has been an inspiring leader who challenges herself to be the very best she can be," head coach Colleen Moyer said. "She is an exceptional student, an All-American athlete and a two-year captain. Her impact on our team and The University of Scranton community has been extraordinary and it is an honor to be her coach."
The Havertown, Pa., native has put together a spectacular career for the Royals as she has earned NFHCA All-American honors in each of the last two seasons. Redding is the program's all-time leader in assists (24) and points (132) while ranking second in goals (54).
Redding is also a three-time NFHCA All-Region and three-time All-Landmark Conference selection. She has been named as the conference's Offensive Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2023 along with being selected as Rookie of the Year in 2021.
Additionally, the two-time captain was named as an NFHCA Senior All-Star and holds the program's single-season assist record with 11 during the 2021 campaign.
The Royals have posted an impressive 45-11 record for a winning percentage of .804 over the last three years, which includes a 2021 Landmark Conference title and NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.
In the classroom, Redding earned her Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Scranton with a 3.42 GPA and was a three-time Dean's List honoree. A Spanish minor, she was inducted into the Alpha Mu Gamma World Languages Honor Society this spring.
Redding served as a volunteer for the Del Carmen Foundation and held a used equipment drive where all gear collected was donated to orphan children in Venezuela who dream of being athletes one day. She was also a Teaching Assistant in an Occupational Therapy course and has worked in The University's Sports Information office for each of the last two years.
Furthermore, she served as a translator for the Leahy Physical Therapy Clinic, that is run by University of Scranton students to provide PT services for uninsured and/or underinsured residents of The University Area community.
The element of community service is incorporated into several Occupational Therapy courses with activities such as adapting toys for children with physical disabilities, visiting nursing homes and planting flowers with veterans.
Click here for more info on the NCAA Woman of the Year award.
What They Are Saying
"If Katie Redding were to get a cut on her arm, she would bleed purple! She brings a lot to the table…Skill, no doubt, but she also brings passion, resilience and the hunger to win. At each and every practice and game, Katie pushes not only herself but her teammates to new heights. She raises the standard for those around her and she does it with poise,". – teammate Lauren Franco '25.
"Katie Redding is a great player and even better person. Playing by her side the last four years (going on five), I have learned so much from her. Katie cares more about the game than anyone I know and I see the passion and fire in her eyes every time she steps out on the field. She's hard working, determined and gritty and is more than deserving to receive the NCAA Woman of the Year nomination. Not only does she put the ball in the back of the cage multiple times a game, but she's the biggest cheerleader for her teammates when we do the same. Her stats speak for themselves, but her love for the game can't be measured. She's a truly special person and I'm very blessed to call her my teammate and my best friend," – teammate Bridget Abraldes '24.
