After receiving dozens of nominations from NCSA teams across the country, the NCSA has awarded Claudia Rea from Michigan State the 2022 NCSA Sportsmanship Award Winner. The Sportsmanship Award, given yearly, is an honor bestowed to a student-athlete who has distinguished themselves through demonstrated acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
The first ever Sportsmanship Award was given out in 2020 to Mikayla Kea from Northern Arizona University then in 2021 to Jackie McNulla from the U.S. Naval Academy. Claudia Rea becomes the newest awardee and well deserving of this award.
The Michigan State Club Softball President and teammate, Madison Cytlak, nominated Claudia, saying, “My name is Madison Cytlak and I am the new Michigan State Club Softball president for the 2022-2023 season. I have reached out to the past board members for their nominee for this award and I had an overwhelming agreeance that Claudia Rea should be our submission. The board and I believe that she over qualifies for this award in so many ways. Claudia unfortunately cannot play for MSU next year due to her transferring to Wayne State. Claudia has done so much for her team and program that we think she deserves this recognition before she has to hang up her cleats. Claudia deserves this award more than anyone and here are all the reasons why.
Claudia Rea hits all aspects of the sportsmanship requirements and so much more. Claudia is our biggest team player. She goes out of her way to make you smile and laugh. Her goofiness is unmatched, and she has the biggest heart, especially for her team. When I say Claudia caught in every game we played, I mean every single game we played. In the Indy Invitational I believe Claudia sat for 1 inning. This is the same for all triple headers, Regionals, and Nationals. She never complained once. This just shows how Claudia puts the team above herself. She does what is necessary for us to be successful on and off the field. She has spent countless hours spending her free time catching pitchers outside of practice, giving teammates rides, and helping teammates with homework and projects. Claudia always makes sure everyone is included and nobody gets left out. She includes everyone on the team and constantly checks up on them throughout the week. I don’t know how she does it with all her work as an engineering student, coaching her old high school softball and basketball team when she can, and spending half the year as the Queen of the Detroit United Irish Societies. She is always giving so much of her time helping other people, inspiring young ladies, and helping other athletes with their game no matter how old. When fundraising for team expenses, Claudia went above and beyond as she normally does with everything in her life. She sold the most cookies in our cookie fundraiser. The thing that I admire about her the most is her big heart, she will never admit she has one, but she would do anything for her teammates, past teammates, family, and friends. She never fails to put anybody and everybody above herself. I have never met such a kind and beautiful soul as Claudia’s. I hope you greatly consider her for this sportsmanship award. If anyone is to be recognized for their sportsmanship, it is Claudia Rea.”
