COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Grace Griffin (women's lacrosse) and Roman Puglise (men's lacrosse) have been named the University of Maryland's 2021 Big Ten Medal of Honor award winners, announced Tuesday.

The Big Ten Medal of Honor is the conference's most exclusive award and was the first of its kind in intercollegiate athletics to recognize academic and athletic excellence. The Big Ten Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1915 to one student-athlete from the graduating class of each university who had "attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work." Big Ten schools currently feature almost 10,000 student-athletes, but only 28 earn this prestigious award on an annual basis. In the 100 years of the Medal of Honor, more than 1,500 students have earned this distinction.

"Congratulations to Grace and Roman on being awarded with the Big Ten's most prestigious honor, the Big Ten Medal of Honor," said Athletic Director Damon Evans. "Grace and Roman have exemplified what it means to be a student-athlete and have achieved at the highest level in both the classroom and on the field. They are wonderful representatives of their programs and our entire Maryland Athletics family."

Griffin, a four-year letter winner for the Maryland women's lacrosse team, has epitomized the term student-athlete over her time as a Terp. The star midfielder has played in all 66 games in her four seasons with 61 starts, leading Maryland to 54 wins, three Big Ten Championships, two Final Fours and the 2019 National Championship, where Griffin scored seven goals in the Final Four. Griffin was named the 2018 Big Ten Freshman of the Year after a sensational rookie campaign and this year was a Tewaaraton Nominee, First Team All-Big Ten honoree and All-Big Ten Tournament Team selection.

"I am truly honored to be named the Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient," said Griffin. "The University of Maryland and Big Ten Conference have provided me with so many amazing opportunities and the support to excel both athletically and academically. But most importantly I am grateful for my coaches, teammates, and all support staff who have guided me throughout my journey as a Terp."

A two-year team captain, Griffin will graduate this spring with a degree in kinesiology, maintaining an exceptional 3.91 GPA. The Sykesville, Md. native is a member of the Gossett Fellow program, a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a 2020 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. Griffin, who is taking a fifth year to play with the Terps in 2022, will get a second degree in sociology.

Puglise has been a model student-athlete for the Maryland men's lacrosse team since joining the program in 2018, helping lead the Terrapins to 44 wins, two Big Ten regular season titles and the 2021 Big Ten Tournament title, three NCAA Tournament appearances and a Final Four during his career. He has appeared in all 53 games for the Terps since stepping on campus, notching 12 goals, four assists, 1010 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers.

"It is truly a blessing to be named a Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient," said Puglise. "I'm thankful for all of my coaches, teammates and support staff who have helped me succeed during my time at Maryland." 

Puglise earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors this year, while also twice garnering Inside Lacrosse Media All-American plaudits in 2019 and 2020. The Lorton, Va. native has developed into one of the most respected short stick defensive midfielders in the country during his career in College Park, helping lead Maryland's top-10 ranked defense in 2021.

The two-time team captain has been a model student in the classroom, carrying a 3.69 GPA as a finance/management major. Puglise is a seven-time scholar athlete, six-time dean's list, and two-time Academic all-Big Ten honoree. He was also named the University of Maryland's 2021 Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

The Big Ten, the nation's oldest collegiate conference, is commemorating the 107th anniversary of the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 2021.