WASHINGTON, D.C. — In light of the canceled NCAA lacrosse season, the Tewaaraton Foundation has announced updates to the 2020 Tewaaraton Award, including publication of the final 2020 Watch Lists for the best men’s and women’s college lacrosse players of the year.
The Tewaaraton Award annual ceremony that was scheduled for May 28 at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., will not be held, and no college awards will be presented in 2020. And while the Foundation will also postpone recognition of the Legends and Spirit honorees until 2021, plans will continue to award the 2020 Tewaaraton Native American Scholarships, presented by US Lacrosse.
The final 2020 Tewaaraton Watch Lists (which you can find below) include the top student-athletes in NCAA lacrosse this season, including the initial preseason lists and the first round of additions on March 11.
“There is disappointment throughout college lacrosse and, in particular, those who are seniors who will not return. This was to be our 20th Tewaaraton Award Ceremony, and while we share in the disappointment, we also hope our achievement of 20 years following our first 2001 event serves as a reminder of how we will look ahead,“ said Jeffrey Harvey, chairman of the Tewaaraton Foundation. “We take this opportunity to acknowledge and honor all the 2020 graduates for their dedication and passion for the sport of lacrosse.”
In January, the foundation announced Bill Belichick as the 2020 Spirit of Tewaaraton recipient and Kelly Amonte Hiller and Dave Pietramala as the 2020 Legends Award honorees. All three will be honored at the 2021 Award Ceremony scheduled for June 3, 2021, which is the Thursday after the NCAA Championships.
Continuing in 2020 are the Tewaaraton Native American Scholarships, which are awarded to one male and one female student each year, honoring high school players of Haudenosaunee heritage who demonstrate academic excellence, and exemplify high character and leadership both on and off the lacrosse field. Applicants are to submit an essay by April 30 describing what the sport of lacrosse means to them as Native American student-athletes and members of their communities, as well as provide two letters of recommendation and a high school transcript.
The Tewaaraton Award annually honors the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. The selection committees are comprised of premier college coaches and are appointed annually by the Tewaaraton Foundation.