SHERMAN, Texas — 2021 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III Most Valuable Player Sophie Oliver (So.. Houston, Texas/Langham Creek) earned Austin College’s highest individual honor for a female student-athlete by claiming the Gene Day Award at the school’s Athletics Convocation.
The league’s Division III MVP after leading the the Kangaroos’ to the program’s inaugural conference championship, Oliver totaled 29 goals during year while also pacing the ‘Roos in both steals and assists. Competing in her inaugural CWPA Division III Championship, she was named to the All-Tournament First Team prior to wrapping up the year with All-Conference First Team recognition as well.
The award is named for Gene Day – a longstanding and well respected member of both the Sherman and Austin College communities. Day had significant impacts on the life of student-athletes at Austin College and Sherman ISD, as well as on her colleagues and on the history of women’s athletics at Austin College. For many of her 35 years at the College she was the only woman on the physical education faculty and coaching staff, and was instrumental in beginning the women’s sports programs at Austin College. During her tenure at Austin College she served as the head coach for the tennis, volleyball, and softball teams. She was recognized for her contributions in 1975 when Austin College named the institution’s Outstanding Female Athlete Award in her honor, and in 1981 she became the first woman inductee of Austin College’s Athletic Hall of Honor.
