COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Kristen Confroy (Women's Basketball '18), Darby Moore (Women's Soccer '20), Hailey Murray (Volleyball '17) and Widner Saint Cyr (Men's Soccer '13) were announced as the four recipients of the M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship. The M Club awards $5,000 scholarships each year to former student-athletes who are looking to continue their education post-graduation.
These former student-athletes have demonstrated excellence in athletics and academics during their time at the University of Maryland, received at least one varsity letter from the University of Maryland, have earned, or will earn by May 2019, a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, have exhausted all collegiate athletic eligibility in the sport(s) which they were awarded a letter, and have applied to (or enrolled in) a graduate program in an accredited institution for the purpose of pursuing an advanced degree.
"Awarding the annual Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship is something the M Club looks forward to each year," said Executive Director of the M Club and Director of Alumni Engagement Laura Chiriaco. "It's so inspiring to hear how this year's recipients are taking what they learned as student-athletes and applying those skills to careers that will positively impact their communities. I want to thank our selection committee for their time and thoughtfulness in selecting these deserving student-athletes, as well as the Rodman family for making this scholarship possible through their generous support of The M Club."
"The candidates for this year's M Club Rodman Post Graduate Scholarship were very impressive and our committee had a very tough decision to make when selecting the 2020 recipients," said Selection Committee Chair Marjorie Baker. "Applicants included 2020 graduates as well as young alumni, and every single one of them maintained at least a 3.0 GPA and devoted time to volunteer to serve others while competing at very high levels in their respective sports. One thing that was truly impressive was how so many of our applicants plan to continue to devote their time to helping others in order to "pay forward" what they received from their time as a Terp student-athlete. The applicants truly seemed to capture what it means to be a Terp for Life!"
A three-year starter and one of the best shooters in school history, Confroy played in 140 career games as a Terp, helping Maryland to three Big Ten regular-season and tournament championships, two Sweet Sixteens and the 2015 Final Four. Confroy is No. 2 in school history in career threes made with 217 and in the top five in three-point field goal percentage (.405). Confroy was named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2017 and 2017 and earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in 2016, 2017 and 2017. She is currently in medical school at Wake Forest pursuing a Doctor of Medicine.
"It is such an honor to be selected for the M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship," said Confroy. "My time as a Terp undoubtedly prepared me to thrive in my life after Maryland, as I take on the massive time demands of being a medical student. I am so grateful to the former athletes who have made this scholarship possible and I look forward to being able to pay it forward one day."
A five-year member of the women's soccer program, Moore helped lead Maryland to its first-ever Big Ten Tournament appearance in her redshirt senior season this past fall. She is set to graduate later this month with a dual degree in Kinesiology and Physiology & Neurobiology while being named to the Dean's List every semester of enrollment. The Norfolk, Va. native is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and the founder and president of the Maryland Athletics Pre-Health organization. Moore will be pursuing a medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
"It is such an honor to be chosen as the M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship recipient," said Moore. "I feel encouraged and motivated for my future as a physician knowing that Maryland Athletics still supports me. During my undergraduate years, playing soccer for the University has taught me lifelong values that can not be found in a class environment. Grit, resilience, and cooperation have defined my career on the field, but when it comes to the holistic experience of sports, Maryland has provided me a family and a home. I look forward to staying in the Terp community at the University of Maryland School of Medicine for the next four years. Thank you M Club for believing in me. Thank you, Maryland."
One of the best middle blockers in program history, Murray started every match over the course of her four-year career from 2014-2017. A local product out of National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., Murray was an immediate presence on the court her freshman campaign and became a mainstay throughout her college career until graduating and playing professionally overseas. Murray's 2017 hitting percentage mark of .437 is the best mark in a single season in school history, and ranks among the top 15 in program history in career hitting percentage, career block assists, and career total blocks. Murray is pursuing a Doctor of Psychology at Duquesne University.
"The University of Maryland family supported me through my entire time as a student-athlete," said Murray. "My coaches and mentors helped me develop the confidence to be a leader and help others. I am honored that the M Club has chosen me as scholarship recipient because I will be able to continue to support others as a Doctor of Psychology."
A native of Port Au Prince, Haiti, Saint Cyr appeared in 49 matches over five seasons in College Park. He helped the Terps advance for five NCAA Tournaments, including appearances in the 2012 and 2013 College Cup. An accomplished youth player who played in the 2007 U-17 FIFA World Cup, Saint Cyr was a part of 85 match victories over his stint in College Park. He graduated with a degree in criminology and criminal justice before competing for Arizona United SC. He is currently pursuing a law degree at the Saint Louis University School of Law.
"I feel particularly honored for being selected as a recipient of the M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship," said Saint-Cyr. "This reiterates the fact that the Maryland family will always be there when you need a helping hand. My experiences as a student-athlete provided me with the kind of competitiveness and mental toughness that you need to take on bigger tasks. Those experiences shaped me into who I am today, and are what drive me to go and accomplish more."
The M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship was established in 2006 with a $260K gift in the form of a life insurance policy for Leonard Rodman, a former Maryland Boxer and graduate of the class of 1943. Since his death, Rodman's endowment has allowed the M Club to award nearly $200,000 in postgraduate scholarship support to 39 Maryland student-athletes to continue their education. In 2012, Rodman was inducted into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame posthumously for meritorious service in recognition of his lifelong commitment to Maryland student-athletes. Rodman's son, Roy, and grandson, Nolan, now continue his legacy of Athletes Helping Athletes through their ongoing generous support of the M Club and Maryland Athletics.
