BOSTON – UMBC softball’s Courtney Coppersmith has been honored as America East Woman of the Year, as announced the by conference on Thursday afternoon.
Coppersmith is the first UMBC student-athlete to earn Man or Woman of the Year honors from the America East. She is just the second softball player to be honored by the conference. Coppersmith will now serve as the America East’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year, which will be announced this fall.
This award recognizes the conference's senior female student-athlete who has best distinguished herself throughout her collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.
Coppersmith has been outstanding during her four seasons with the Retrievers and has led the program to three consecutive America East Championships, the first three in program history. As a freshman she earned All-America honors, as well as America East Pitcher and Rookie of the Year recognition.
She claimed America East Pitcher of the Year honors in 2021 and 2022 as well, while earning All-Region recognition each of the past two seasons. Coppersmith finished her 2022 season first in the nation with 13.2 strikeouts per seven innings and third nationally in ERA (0.78). For her career she has a 1.30 ERA with 896 strikeouts in 542.1 innings with seven no-hitters and two perfect games. She also owns a .318 career batting average with 105 hits and 26 doubles.
Academically, Coppersmith graduated this past May with 3.71 GPA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, with a double minor in Emergency Health Services and Philosophy. She will be pursuing her PhD in Chemistry at UMBC. She is a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and was the 2021 America East Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
“We are all very proud of Courtney being named the America East Woman of the Year," said Head Coach Chris Kuhlmeyer. "There are a lot of outstanding individuals in this conference that stand out in all aspects that this award represents. To receive this award is a massive honor. Courtney has been an exceptional athlete, a leader on the field, a high level student in the classroom, and has a servant's heart for people around her and in the community. We are honored that she has received the Woman of the Year award and look forward to seeing her continue to excel in her final year at UMBC.”
Coppersmith has also served as her team’s representative on UMBC’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for the past three years, and was voted as secretary for the 2021-22 academic year. She has spent many hours volunteering at the Hopeful Market, a free farmers market for the homeless.
America East began honoring a Woman of the Year in 2006 and introduced the Man of the Year award in 2015. All-Time America East Man & Woman of the Year Award Listing.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
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