Central Michigan University Athletics
Paulina Lee Named 2011 Bill Boyden Award Winner
9/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
MOUNT PLEASANT — The Bill Boyden Leadership Award Selection Committee and Central Michigan University are proud to announce Paulina Lee as the 2011 winner of the Bill Boyden Award.
Lee (Pittsford, N.Y./Mendon HS) is a three-time letterwinner as a midfielder with the field hockey program. She becomes the 31st recipient of the award and the first field hockey student-athlete in the award's history.
"I'm really proud of Paulina and her accomplishments, both as a student and as an athlete," head coach Cristy Freese. "She really puts herself out there and puts a lot on her plate. She is a very high driven kid that has such high goals professionally and athletically, she knows she has to make sacrifices. She has plans for the future and understands what she can do now in college beyond in the classroom and on the field is going to lead her to where she wants to be professionally. The fact she is the first field hockey player to win the awards, makes it real special for Paulina and our program"
The Boyden Award is selected each year from among those applicants who are varsity letterwinners and are in their final year of eligibility. The award does not primarily focus on academics as it singles out a senior of satisfactory academic standing whose record best combines participation in a varsity intercollegiate sport with leadership ability in campus affairs and activities, interests or accomplishments in the arts and community involvement.
Lee currently serves as the vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has participated in numerous community service activities with the SAAC. The marketing major boasts a grade point average of 3.85 and was named a team captain of the 2011 Chippewas by her teammates prior to the season. Lee was nominated and selected to represent Central Michigan at the inaugural NCAA Career in Sports Forum in May of 2010 and has been awarded placement on the National Field Hockey Coaches' Association Division I Academic squad three years running. The Pittsford, N.Y., native received the 2010 Jane McNamara Scholar-Athlete Award and also worked with the Central Michigan Athletics' Marketing Department as a student-marketing coordinator and assistant coordinator for the Chippewas Kids Club.
A member of Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional co-ed fraternity, Lee has held several positions for the organization, including recruitment chair, public relations coordinator and promotions director of events. She is also a campus ambassador for P&G Children's Safe Drinking Water and was a member of the American Marketing Association.
On the field, Lee has started 35 games in her career and has helped lead the Chippewas to three straight Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal appearances.
The Boyden Award is designed to honor the student-athlete who is and will be an exemplary representative of CMU.
The winning applicant is provided a cash award to be applied to their institutional financial aid account. If the recipient is on athletic scholarship, NCAA regulations restrict the total amount of financial aid that a student-athlete can receive. The student-athlete may direct the value of the award to any department or project in the university if they have reached their maximum financial aid limit. The award winner's name is inscribed on the permanent plaque located prominently in Rose Center. The honoree is presented with an individual plaque and a special gold "C" Boyden Award lapel pin. 

The Bill Boyden Leadership Award was established in memory of W.B. ("Bill") Boyden, a 1935 CMU graduate. His life and accomplishments demonstrated a unique blend of athletic ability, leadership, business acumen, participation in the arts and an extraordinary involvement in community activities. 

Boyden was a football and track star who earned recognition as most valuable backfield man in his senior year at CMU and set a school record for the 100-yard dash in track that stood for many years. Active on campus, Boyden was elected President of CMU's Student Council and acted in several campus dramatic productions. 

Boyden volunteered countless hours and endless energy for CMU, reflecting his pride in and affection for his alma mater. He was a long-time member of the University Development Board, serving twice as its chairman, until his death in 1980. As a member of that board, Bill is acknowledged as the initial motivating force behind the construction of Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Boyden honored Central Michigan University during his life and the Boyden Award seeks to honor and continue promotion of his ideals and his university. 

Lee will be honored at Central Michigan's home football contest on Oct. 1 versus Northern Illinois.
Boyden Award Recipients
1981 - Cary Kipke, Baseball
1982 - Terri McFarland, Basketball/Softball*
1983 - Paul Salyers, Wrestling*
1984 - Kevin Egnatuk, Football
1985 - Ken McDonald, Soccer
1986 - Kathy Moody, Softball*
1987 - Dan Majerle, Basketball

1988 - Rodney Lackey, Track
1989 - Mark Hopkins, Football
1990 - Sue Nissen, Basketball
1991 - Paul Benford, Soccer*
1992 - Jason Wilkie, Football

1993 - Renee Olsen, Volleyball
1994 - Chad Cutshall, Track
*
1995 - Vicki Epple, Gymnastics*
1996 - Kary Tomaw, Track
1997 - Greg Jones, Baseball*
1998 - C.J. Remmo, Football*
1999 - Chris Vike, Wrestling

2000 - Jon Borovich, Basketball
2001 - David Webber, Basketball

2002 - Marvin Smith, Football
2003 - Katie Conway, Soccer
2004 - Kara Reighard, Gymnastics*
2005 - Tamera Thomas, Track
2006 - James Ricchio, Baseball*
2007 - Elizabeth Carpenter, Track/Cross Country
2008 - Brian Brunner, Football
2009 - Amanda Waugh, Soccer
2010 - Brendan Emmett, Baseball
2011 - Paulina Lee, Field Hockey
