LAFAYETTE, La. — Ragin’ Cajuns softball alum Ashley Brignac has been selected as one of the recipients of the prestigious NCAA Today’s Top 10 Award, recognizing extraordinary student-athletes who completed their athletics eligibility during the 2011-12 academic year.

“This prestigious award is a reflection of our commitment to excellence in not only athletics and softball, but also academics and inside the classroom,” said head coach Michael Lotief. “We are so thankful to our professors, our team, and our fans for their contribution and support. All of these awards acknowledge the individual but also speak to the success of the process and to the incredible support structure that exists here at the University of Louisiana. This is about more than wins and losses; this is about core values that recognize that our university is among the best of the best. We are so proud of Ashley and appreciate the recognition from the NCAA.”

Criteria for the award include success on the field and court, in the classroom, and in the community.

The Top 10 awards will be presented during the Honors Celebration as part of the NCAA Convention in Grapevine, Texas on Jan. 18, 2013.

The Top 10 Award winners are selected by the NCAA Honors Committee, which is composed of athletics administrators at member institutions and nationally distinguished citizens who are former student-athletes.

Brignac graduated last May with a 4.0 GPA and a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science.

During her illustrious career, she helped lead the Ragin’ Cajuns to four straight NCAA championship appearances, including the 2008 Women’s College World Series.

The three-time Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year (2008, 2011, 2012) received the 2008 James J. Corbett Award from the All-State Sugar Bowl, which recognizes the most outstanding athlete in Louisiana.

Brignac was named University of Louisiana’s Overall Outstanding Graduate for the fall 2011 semester and was awarded the Sun Belt Conference’s Postgraduate Scholarship.

In 2011 and 2012, Brignac was named the CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-America Softball Player of the Year. She was named to the President’s List and to the Sun Belt’s Commissioner’s List each year of her college career.

She received National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America honors in 2007 capping off a stellar high school career.

When she wasn’t on the field or in the classroom, Brignac volunteered for the Special Olympics or as a fastpitch softball coach. The team captain was a member of the National Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi.

Thanks,

Traci Bode
University of Louisiana
Assistant Sports Information