NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN graduate Taylor Thames has been selected as one of two Big West nominees for the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year.

Thames celebrates a collegiate career where she was a two-sport athlete and a leader off the field of competition, serving as CSUN's Student Athlete Advisory Committee co-president.

"Being nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year is an honor of a lifetime and one that extends beyond the parameters of accolades and awards," said Thames. "Being given the opportunity to serve as a tangible representation for the next generation to come, my hope is that my commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, identity affirmation and the student-athlete voice inspires young women in sports to continue to dream big, be proactive agents of change, and step into leadership roles, using their voices to help advocate for the creation of a better tomorrow."

While serving as CSUN's SAAC co-president, Thames was also a member of The Big West SAAC and Big West Undivided. Her tireless commitment to diversity and inclusion would lead her to become the secretary of the Black Student Advocacy Panel. Thames also became the co-founder of Matador United, a committee dedicated to advocating for diversity and equity at CSUN.

In 2022, Thames received the Big West Leadership award for her efforts off the field.

"My undergrad years were defined by two ground shaking events, COVID-19, and the Black Lives Matter Moment," Thames added. "I watched my fellow student-athletes struggle with identity dismantling events and the fearful reality of a world without sport. At the beginning I waited for a voice to guide us through this time of uncertainty, eventually I got tired of waiting and decided to take action."

In the community, she spent time assisting the North Hills Community Parks Soccer League and served as an event organizer for the U.S. Women's National Team. Thames also was a volunteer camp counselor for CSUN Women's Soccer camps.

On the field of play, Thames spent four years as a goalkeeper on the women's soccer team where she appeared in 16 total matches and collected six wins to go with three shutouts. This past season, Thames finished eighth in The Big West in saves with 60. As a dual sport athlete, Thames also competed in three outdoor seasons on the track & field team as a sprinter where she participated in the 100m and 200m events.

The 619 total nominees for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award across all three divisions were the most all-time. Thames was one of two selected out of eight nominees submitted by schools within The Big West. From there, the conference office collects all nominations and submits final names to the NCAA upon review. Hawai'i water polo athlete Emma Van Rossum also received the conference's nomination for the award with Thames.

The NCAA Woman of the Year program was established in 1991 and honors the academic achievement, athletes excellence, community service and leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three divisions. In its 33rd year, nominees must have competed and earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and must have earned their undergraduate degree by Summer 2023.

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