Thomas More women’s basketball standout Madison Temple named DIII Honda Athlete of the Year

Thomas More University women’s basketball standout Madison Temple has been named the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year, Executive Director Chris Voelz of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards announced Monday.

Temple will be presented with this honor on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 24 at 9 p.m. (Eastern) in the Founders’ Room at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California in downtown Los Angeles. The honor was voted on by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of the CWSA program, now in its 43rd year.

“I want to start by saying congratulations to all the other outstanding female athletes up for this award on their successful seasons,” said Temple. “It is such an honor to be selected as the Division III Honda Athlete of the Year.  I think this award represents the time and dedication I have put into the sport I love, and it shows that hard work pays off. I was tested in the past when I tore both of my ACLs in high school and almost didn’t play in college.

“I am extremely grateful that I came to Thomas More and got to live out my dream of being a college athlete and winning not one, but two national championships.  Of course, this award wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the amazing people I have in my life. Thank you to my coaches, teammates, friends, fans, athletic trainers and the athletic department for your support and believing in me. To my wonderful family, thank you for your love and support every step of the way. I wouldn’t be half the woman I am if it weren’t for you all keeping me grounded and instilling in me the importance of being a competitor, showing good sportsmanship and always being a positive role model.”

Temple has made a clean sweep of the top Division III national awards as she was named the Jostens Trophy winner and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division III Player of the Year and WBCA All-American.  Off the court, she was named Google Cloud Academic All-America by the College Sports Information Directors of America and was an Academic All-American Collegiate Athletic Association honoree.

She led her team in scoring (23.5 point per game), rebounds (7.7 per game), assists (187) and steals (92) while helping the Saints win the 2019 NCAA Division III national championship and post a 33-0 record.  She was also third on the team in blocked shots with 23.  Temple made 186 free throws, which is a single-season record at Thomas More, while her 187 assists and 776 points are second in Thomas More single-season records. Her 254 rebounds are third most in a season.

Temple finished her career as the school’s all-time leader in scoring (2,184), assists (585), made field goals (812) and made free throws (818), while finishing third in rebounding (818).

“Receiving this award from The Collegiate Women Sports Award presented by Honda is a great accomplishment for Madison and a tremendous way to complete her career at Thomas More University,” said head coach Jeff Hans. “She has been an integral part of our basketball program, but more importantly the Thomas More community.”

The CWSA, in its 43rd year, honors the nation’s top NCAA women athletes recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its sponsorship in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.1 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.

(From Thomas More sports information)