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KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — Fort Lewis College lacrosse player Courtney Hancock was chosen as the Community Awareness Honoree for NCAA Division II women's lacrosse, the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) announced at its All-America Banquet, held at the Crown Valley Plaza on Saturday, June 11.

All totaled, 18 players — six each from NCAA Divisions I, II and III — were recognized, including positional Players of the Year (attack, midfield, defense and goalkeeper), Scholar-Athletes of the Year and Community Awareness honorees.

The latter award recognizes those student-athletes who have contributed significantly to their communities in a given year.

Hancock was unavailable to attend as she is completing two weeks of volunteer service in Uganda, which came as no surprise to her coach. “In Courtney's style, she is currently in Uganda,” said first-year FLC lacrosse coach Kelsey MacDonald, who nominated Hancock for the award. “So I haven't even been able to inform her about this honor!

“Courtney has one of the biggest hearts,” MacDonald added. “She is passionate about helping and volunteering for those who need it. Even though she was busy this season with her schoolwork, lacrosse practice and workouts, she still found time to volunteer within the community.”

A 5-foot-9 senior defender from Dakota Ridge High School in Littleton, Colo., Hancock's community outreach began in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Durango in 2009. Even though she graduated from FLC with a bachelor's degree in General Biology just last month, Hancock wants to continue to be part of her “little's” life.

“I have met Courtney's 'little' sister (from Big Brothers Big Sisters) and she loves all the activities they do together,” said MacDonald. “Courtney is a great rode model and is a very dedicated and passionate member of the community.”

Additionally, Hancock is an active member of the River Church in Durango. This past Thanksgiving, she and other church members volunteered for a week at an orphanage in Mexico. She later coordinated a second trip to the same orphanage in February. She is currently in Uganda, where she has spent the past two weeks volunteering, and will return to Africa in the fall to continue working with children.

“To be honored by the IWLCA for her commitment to bettering the community is very humbling,” MacDonald added. “I am very proud of Courtney for all that she has accomplished in lacrosse and within the community.”

On the lacrosse field, Hancock appeared in each of the 33 games in the three-year history of Skyhawk lacrosse. She ranks among FLC's career leaders in caused turnovers (fourth, 18), ground balls (sixth, 34), draw controls (eighth, 20), goals (17th, four) and total points (19th, four).

Hancock received the inaugural Skyhawk Award for women's lacrosse at the Athletic Department's annual awards banquet in April. While other head coaches at Fort Lewis issued Most Valuable Player Awards, MacDonald chose to recognize her player who best exemplifies what it means to be a Fort Lewis lacrosse player. Hancock best fit the new award's criteria through her balance of athletic and academic excellence with leadership and community service.

Fort Lewis finished its third-ever season of women's lacrosse 7-7 overall and 4-2 in Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association games under MacDonald. The Skyhawks set new school standards for virtually every single-game and single-season record in 2011. The team loses just two seniors — Hancock and Katharine Allen — to graduation.