Full NCAA Release


INDIANAPOLIS – In Division II, Walsh University was among 19 schools and two conferences named finalists for the 2020 Division II Award of Excellence, an accolade recognizing initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement and student-athlete leadership.
 
Walsh represents the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and the Cavaliers were recognized for their work surrounding the Taylor Ceepo Memorial Night on October 5, 2019, in a game vs. Lake Erie.
 
Every fall, the women’s soccer team at Walsh University selects a charitable cause to support and engage community awareness. The 2019 fall soccer season, however, came with some additional adversity for the Walsh women.
 
In May, the program lost a dear alumni and friend, Taylor Ceepo, due to sudden death and cardiomyopathy during the 42nd Rite-Aid Cleveland Marathon. This year’s charitable cause was a no-brainer for the women as they selected to honor and support the newly released Taylor Ceepo Memorial fund at the Cleveland Foundation.
 
“Taylor was a wonderful person who had a heart that beat to help others, and this night’s initiatives proved to support and continue her efforts, though she is no longer physically with us,” said Walsh head coach Lauren Lewicki.
 
The Walsh University Women’s soccer team came together with the Ceepo family, for over 140 hours of service to arrange t-shirt sales, basket raffles, and food truck sales, in hopes to attract a crowd and spread awareness at the October 5, 2019, remembrance game.
 
Team captain Brianna Sanborn created a t-shirt that reflected the causes Taylor was passionate about. As a student, Taylor was a liaison between the Walsh Dance Marathon club and the ‘miracle families’ from The Akron Children’s Hospital. Walsh Student government, local businesses, and family and friends worked together to arrange baskets that were raffled off.
 
The Ceepo family approached a local burger place, Swenson’s, in order to secure a food truck for the match at the Milazzo Soccer Field.
 
At the beginning of the event, the initiatives near and dear to Taylor’s heart were introduced and prayed for, while at halftime Taylor’s jersey was presented to her family.

While working with Akron Children’s Hospital and the Make-A-Wish foundation, Taylor was able to become very close with a child named Spencer and his family. Taylor’s miracle child, Spencer, was able to attend the remembrance game and was named honorary captain.
 
There were over 500 people in attendance at the event, including representatives from all Walsh University sports teams. Other Walsh University teams playing or practicing on October 5th, purchased and wore Ceepo shirts during their events.
 
Division II honors its members each year for conducting events that promote student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities or on their campus. A committee of athletics administrators determined this year’s finalists, and the national Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will select the winner, which will be announced at the Division II business session Jan. 25 at the 2020 NCAA Convention in Anaheim, California.
 
Each finalist will receive $500. The winner will receive $3,000, the first runner-up will receive $1,500, and the second runner-up will receive $1,250. All prize money is intended for future community engagement events.