NiJaree Canady, a sophomore pitcher from Stanford University, was named the Honda Sport Award winner for Softball as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).
The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 48 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. The winner of the sport award becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2024 Honda Cup, which will be presented on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 7 PM ET, from its new home in New York City.
Canady was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included Reese Atwood (Texas), Claire Davidson (Duke) and Jocelyn Erickson (Florida).
“There have been so many amazing athletes in the sport of softball across the nation so to be honored for this award is everything,” said Canady. “I want to thank my coaches and my teammates. Without them, this would not be possible. They push me every day to be better. And I also want to thank my parents for sacrificing so much and allowing me to live out my dream.”
Canady led the nation in ERA (0.73) and strikeouts (337) and led her team to a WCWS semifinal appearance before falling to top-ranked Texas. The Cardinal finished the season at 50-17 reaching 50 wins in a single season for the first time since 2001 and just second time overall.
The pitcher hailing from Topeka, Kansas, was named the 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and the 2024 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year while unanimous NFCA First Team All-America honors.
Canady finished the season at 24-7 and allowed multiple runs in a game only three times in 35 appearances.
“NiJa is the whole package,” said Paul A. Violich Director of Softball Jessica Allister. “She is a generational softball player and competitor. She is a true student-athlete. She is an outstanding teammate and citizen. What an honor for NiJa to receive this award. We are incredibly proud of her.”
The CWSA, entering its 48th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.
About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility
For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on the areas of education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.