Ackermann nominated for high honor

Ackermann is the Capital Athletic Conference’s candidate for the award, which honors senior student athletes who have excelled in leadership, service, athletics and academics during their tenure in school. Nine total honorees (three from each division) from Division I, II and III will be announced at an awards dinner this October in Indianapolis.

‘‘The awards are such an honor,” she said. ‘‘I know the success my team had helped with that.”

Lining up on attack, Ackermann graduates as the Sea Gulls’ all time leader with 321 points and 149 assists and ranks second in school history with 172 goals. She is a two-time CAC Player of the Year and a consensus First-Team All-American. This past season, she tallied the second highest points (152) total in NCAA women’s lacrosse history in leading Salisbury to a CAC conference title and an appearance in the NCAA Division III Final Four.

Success in the classroom proved just as contagious. Across the board, Ackermann has been identified as an Academic All-American. A member of several honor societies, she was also selected as the female recipient of Salisbury’s Scholar Athlete Award.

While Ackermann’s collegiate athletic career has come to an end, her work with the books will continue. On June 26, she was awarded a $7,500 grant as part of the NCAA’s postgraduate scholarship program. She’ll serve as a graduate assistant with the team while pursuing a master’s degree in business administration.

‘‘The scholarship is going to be a huge help,” she said. ‘‘My family is thrilled about that.”

Following in her family footsteps, Ackermann chose Salisbury. Her sister Linda graduated in 2005, and was named as the CAC Player of the Year during her senior campaign. Another sister Christine graduated in 2003. Sue’s mother, Barbara Michel Ackermann, aunt, Lorraine Michel, and uncle William Michel graduated in 1974, 1975 and 1978 respectively.

‘‘It definitely was a big factor in my going there,” Ackermann said. ‘‘Even though my sister and I only played together for one year it was a big deal for my family to see us both play together.”

Ackermann has proved achievement in academics and athletics don’t have to be mutually exclusive. She hopes younger players try to expand their horizons and not focus entirely on a sole sport.

‘‘One thing I know is how early the recruiting process starts now,” she said. ‘‘It’s kind of forcing girls to focus on one sport. I played three sports at Liberty. Certain things come out of every sport that can help with lacrosse. I would suggest playing other things along with lacrosse so you don’t get sick of it and learn other aspects of sports as well.”