Marotta and Woodward earn Marquette's 77th McCahill Award
12/20/2023 12:00:00 PM | General, Men's Lacrosse, Women's Basketball
Pair to be honored on Monday, Jan. 15 at Fiserv Forum
Past McCahill Award Recipients | Jan. 15 MBB Tickets
MILWAUKEE – Former Marquette University women's basketball player Chloe Marotta and current men's lacrosse player Mason Woodward are the recipients of the 77th Robert L. and William P. McCahill Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a Marquette student-athlete.
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They will be honored at Fiserv Forum during the men's basketball game against Villanova on Monday, Jan. 15.
"The recognition of Chloe and Mason continues the McCahill Award's tradition of honoring the best of Marquette Athletics," MU Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Scholl said. "Both recipients embody the spirit of the award in their high achievement and dedication to Marquette.
"There might not be a name more synonymous with Marquette University than Marotta, and Chloe has followed in her family's legacy as one of MU's most consequential student-athletes," Scholl added. "Similarly, Mason will go down as one of the best men's lacrosse players to ever play at Marquette and has made a large impact during his time in Milwaukee."
Marotta is the eighth winner from the women's basketball program and the second from her own family. Marotta's father, Marc, was the winner of the 1984 award during a standout men's basketball career that included three Academic All-America First Team selections. Marotta's brother (Cam), maternal grandfather (Buzz Heller) and great-grandfather (Bob Heller) also played for the men's team.
Woodward follows fellow defenseman B.J. Grill (2016) as the second winner from men's lacrosse program. Woodward, who is using his extra season of COVID eligibility this spring, is the first active MU student-athlete to earn the award.
Chloe Marotta, women's basketball (Mequon, Wisconsin)
Marotta played in 149 games as a five-year member of the women's basketball team, ranked 29th all-time in career scoring with 1,094 points and eighth in career rebounds with 912. She earned All-BIG EAST First Team honors as a senior after averaging 14.8 points and a team-high 9.0 boards per contest. Marotta is one of just seven MU women's players to ever record at least 1,000 points and 850 rebounds in a career.
Marotta left her own legacy at Marquette in a career that spanned the COVID-19 pandemic and included play under two separate coaching staffs. The native of Mequon, Wisconsin pushed the women's basketball program and all of Marquette Athletics forward during a challenging time in dynamic circumstances.
"This is an incredible and well-deserved honor for Chloe," MU women's basketball coach Megan Duffy said. "She has been one of the best female leaders to come through Marquette. Her commitment on the court, in the classroom, and serving those around her was a joy to witness."
The five-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection earned her bachelor's degree in journalism and public relations in May 2022 and completed a Master of Business Administration in 2023. She was also inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the national honor society for collegiate student-athletes.
During her time at Marquette, Marotta held numerous leadership positions and was a two-time president of Marquette's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) chapter. She also joined the Marquette University Board of Trustees in 2022-23 as a student representative to the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics.
She moderated a panel in October 2022 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX entitled 'Excellence in Athletics: From Fierce Competitors to Female Trailblazers,' on which BIG EAST Conference Commissioner Val Ackerman served as keynote speaker.
During a time when social unrest in the United States reached an inflection point in the summer of 2020, Marotta was instrumental in coordinating and hosting a panel discussion, moderated by College of Communication faculty member Ms. Sheena Carey, where student-athletes of culture and of color shared their experiences with the student-athlete population. The sharing was designed to build empathy and awareness, within teams and beyond teams, and to better understand the Marquette experience from the panelists' point-of-view.
Marotta also coordinated a workshop with College of Communication's Dr. Tracy Sturgal, building listening skills particularly around divisive topics like politics, for student-athletes to attend. She did a masterful job matching resources on campus to student-athlete issues and concerns and creating platforms for learning and sharing.
As a junior, Marotta interned with Marquette Athletics' Communications staff and assisted with the women's basketball program's social media initiatives.
In the spring of 2023, Marotta earned the Marquette's President's Award for combined excellence on the court, in the classroom and in the community. She was also recognized with the Ralph H. Metcalfe Sr., Outstanding Senior Athlete Award and given Cura Personalis Award by MU's SAAC chapter for her ability to connect and lead Marquette's student-athletes.
Marotta logged countless hours of service during her Marquette career and her Rebounds for Research campaign raised over $30,000 for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. She was recognized in March 2023 by MU President Dr. Michael R. Lovell as Marquette's Difference Maker for her work with the foundation.
Mason Woodward, men's lacrosse (Towson, Maryland)
Woodward, who became the first three-time USILA All-American in program history with third team honors last spring, is the only Marquette player to be selected as team captain four times. He was a unanimous All BIG-EAST First Team selection in 2023 and led the team in caused turnovers in all four of his campaigns. In September, the defenseman was selected 56th overall in the fourth round of the Lacrosse National League Entry Draft by the New York Riptide and is expected to be a high selection in the 2024 Premier Lacrosse League Collegiate Entry Draft.Â
"Mason is an incredible human being, and I could not think of a more fitting recipient of this honor," MU head men's lacrosse coach Andrew Stimmel said. "I've never been around a three-time team captain, let alone someone selected for the recognition four times by his peers. It shows the respect Mason earned from the moment he stepped foot on campus. He's rightly mentioned as one of the nation's top lacrosse players and we're fortunate he chose to return for his extra year of eligibility this spring."
He was a unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team selection last season at close defense and was named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List last February, becoming only the third MU player to earn mention on the list. Woodward was also a first team all-league pick during his first conference season in 2021 and was a second team choice in 2022.
The native of Towson, Maryland is the program's all-time leader in ground balls per game (4.71 per contest) and begins his 2024 campaign just six behind Marquette all-time ground ball leader Liam Byrnes (218) with 212. He ended the 2023 regular season second in NCAA Division I among close defensemen in ground balls per game (5.00).
Woodward earned a bachelor's degree in May in exercise physiology and was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team after finishing his undergraduate career with a 3.82 cumulative grade-point average, including a perfect 4.0 during the spring semester. He is a four-time selection to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team and member of the Chi Alpha Sigma national honor society. Woodward is currently pursuing a certificate in sports leadership from Marquette's Graduate School of Management.
He has worked with MKE Lacrosse and coached the Milwaukee Eagles wheelchair lacrosse team during his tenure at MU. Woodward led the Milwaukee Eagles to the 2023 Division A Championship at Wheelchair Lacrosse USA (WLUSA) Nationals in Buffalo this summer.
About the Robert L. and William P. McCahill Award:
The McCahill Award was named after Captain Robert L. McCahill, a former Marquette student-athlete who gave his life for his country at the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II in 1945. Established by his brother, Colonel William P. McCahill, also an MU student-athlete, the award was first presented in 1946 and has been awarded annually as the highest honor bestowed upon a Marquette student-athlete.
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After Colonel McCahill's death in 1999, Marquette University officially renamed the award to recognize the lifetime accomplishments of both Captain Robert and Colonel William McCahill.
Â
The award is given annually to a student-athlete who has achieved in athletics, scholarship, and service to the university.
Â
Past recipients of the award include Olympic silver medalist John Bennett (1954), two-time NBA All-Star Don Kojis (1961), Naismith Award-winner Butch Lee (1978), and NCAA 10,000-meter run champion Keith Hanson (1986).
MILWAUKEE – Former Marquette University women's basketball player Chloe Marotta and current men's lacrosse player Mason Woodward are the recipients of the 77th Robert L. and William P. McCahill Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a Marquette student-athlete.
Â
They will be honored at Fiserv Forum during the men's basketball game against Villanova on Monday, Jan. 15.
"The recognition of Chloe and Mason continues the McCahill Award's tradition of honoring the best of Marquette Athletics," MU Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Scholl said. "Both recipients embody the spirit of the award in their high achievement and dedication to Marquette.
"There might not be a name more synonymous with Marquette University than Marotta, and Chloe has followed in her family's legacy as one of MU's most consequential student-athletes," Scholl added. "Similarly, Mason will go down as one of the best men's lacrosse players to ever play at Marquette and has made a large impact during his time in Milwaukee."
Marotta is the eighth winner from the women's basketball program and the second from her own family. Marotta's father, Marc, was the winner of the 1984 award during a standout men's basketball career that included three Academic All-America First Team selections. Marotta's brother (Cam), maternal grandfather (Buzz Heller) and great-grandfather (Bob Heller) also played for the men's team.
Woodward follows fellow defenseman B.J. Grill (2016) as the second winner from men's lacrosse program. Woodward, who is using his extra season of COVID eligibility this spring, is the first active MU student-athlete to earn the award.
Chloe Marotta, women's basketball (Mequon, Wisconsin)
Marotta played in 149 games as a five-year member of the women's basketball team, ranked 29th all-time in career scoring with 1,094 points and eighth in career rebounds with 912. She earned All-BIG EAST First Team honors as a senior after averaging 14.8 points and a team-high 9.0 boards per contest. Marotta is one of just seven MU women's players to ever record at least 1,000 points and 850 rebounds in a career.
Marotta left her own legacy at Marquette in a career that spanned the COVID-19 pandemic and included play under two separate coaching staffs. The native of Mequon, Wisconsin pushed the women's basketball program and all of Marquette Athletics forward during a challenging time in dynamic circumstances.
"This is an incredible and well-deserved honor for Chloe," MU women's basketball coach Megan Duffy said. "She has been one of the best female leaders to come through Marquette. Her commitment on the court, in the classroom, and serving those around her was a joy to witness."
The five-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection earned her bachelor's degree in journalism and public relations in May 2022 and completed a Master of Business Administration in 2023. She was also inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the national honor society for collegiate student-athletes.
During her time at Marquette, Marotta held numerous leadership positions and was a two-time president of Marquette's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) chapter. She also joined the Marquette University Board of Trustees in 2022-23 as a student representative to the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics.
She moderated a panel in October 2022 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX entitled 'Excellence in Athletics: From Fierce Competitors to Female Trailblazers,' on which BIG EAST Conference Commissioner Val Ackerman served as keynote speaker.
During a time when social unrest in the United States reached an inflection point in the summer of 2020, Marotta was instrumental in coordinating and hosting a panel discussion, moderated by College of Communication faculty member Ms. Sheena Carey, where student-athletes of culture and of color shared their experiences with the student-athlete population. The sharing was designed to build empathy and awareness, within teams and beyond teams, and to better understand the Marquette experience from the panelists' point-of-view.
Marotta also coordinated a workshop with College of Communication's Dr. Tracy Sturgal, building listening skills particularly around divisive topics like politics, for student-athletes to attend. She did a masterful job matching resources on campus to student-athlete issues and concerns and creating platforms for learning and sharing.
As a junior, Marotta interned with Marquette Athletics' Communications staff and assisted with the women's basketball program's social media initiatives.
In the spring of 2023, Marotta earned the Marquette's President's Award for combined excellence on the court, in the classroom and in the community. She was also recognized with the Ralph H. Metcalfe Sr., Outstanding Senior Athlete Award and given Cura Personalis Award by MU's SAAC chapter for her ability to connect and lead Marquette's student-athletes.
Marotta logged countless hours of service during her Marquette career and her Rebounds for Research campaign raised over $30,000 for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. She was recognized in March 2023 by MU President Dr. Michael R. Lovell as Marquette's Difference Maker for her work with the foundation.
Mason Woodward, men's lacrosse (Towson, Maryland)
Woodward, who became the first three-time USILA All-American in program history with third team honors last spring, is the only Marquette player to be selected as team captain four times. He was a unanimous All BIG-EAST First Team selection in 2023 and led the team in caused turnovers in all four of his campaigns. In September, the defenseman was selected 56th overall in the fourth round of the Lacrosse National League Entry Draft by the New York Riptide and is expected to be a high selection in the 2024 Premier Lacrosse League Collegiate Entry Draft.Â
"Mason is an incredible human being, and I could not think of a more fitting recipient of this honor," MU head men's lacrosse coach Andrew Stimmel said. "I've never been around a three-time team captain, let alone someone selected for the recognition four times by his peers. It shows the respect Mason earned from the moment he stepped foot on campus. He's rightly mentioned as one of the nation's top lacrosse players and we're fortunate he chose to return for his extra year of eligibility this spring."
He was a unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team selection last season at close defense and was named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List last February, becoming only the third MU player to earn mention on the list. Woodward was also a first team all-league pick during his first conference season in 2021 and was a second team choice in 2022.
The native of Towson, Maryland is the program's all-time leader in ground balls per game (4.71 per contest) and begins his 2024 campaign just six behind Marquette all-time ground ball leader Liam Byrnes (218) with 212. He ended the 2023 regular season second in NCAA Division I among close defensemen in ground balls per game (5.00).
Woodward earned a bachelor's degree in May in exercise physiology and was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team after finishing his undergraduate career with a 3.82 cumulative grade-point average, including a perfect 4.0 during the spring semester. He is a four-time selection to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team and member of the Chi Alpha Sigma national honor society. Woodward is currently pursuing a certificate in sports leadership from Marquette's Graduate School of Management.
He has worked with MKE Lacrosse and coached the Milwaukee Eagles wheelchair lacrosse team during his tenure at MU. Woodward led the Milwaukee Eagles to the 2023 Division A Championship at Wheelchair Lacrosse USA (WLUSA) Nationals in Buffalo this summer.
About the Robert L. and William P. McCahill Award:
The McCahill Award was named after Captain Robert L. McCahill, a former Marquette student-athlete who gave his life for his country at the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II in 1945. Established by his brother, Colonel William P. McCahill, also an MU student-athlete, the award was first presented in 1946 and has been awarded annually as the highest honor bestowed upon a Marquette student-athlete.
Â
After Colonel McCahill's death in 1999, Marquette University officially renamed the award to recognize the lifetime accomplishments of both Captain Robert and Colonel William McCahill.
Â
The award is given annually to a student-athlete who has achieved in athletics, scholarship, and service to the university.
Â
Past recipients of the award include Olympic silver medalist John Bennett (1954), two-time NBA All-Star Don Kojis (1961), Naismith Award-winner Butch Lee (1978), and NCAA 10,000-meter run champion Keith Hanson (1986).
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