HILLSBORO --- The Northwest Conference (NWC) has selected Jennifer Burke of George Fox lacrosse as its 2019-20 Woman of the Year.
Burke is the first George Fox student-athlete to receive the honor in the ten-year history of the award for the NWC and was selected from a group of six finalists. At the NCAA level, 2019-20 is the 30th year of the Woman of the Year program. The award is based on four pillars: academics, athletics, service, and leadership.
"We are so proud of Jen," said Elise Trask, Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator for George Fox. "She embodies everything it means to be a Bruin. She is a fierce competitor who is always willing to put in the extra work; she's a dedicated student who values education and prioritizes academics; she's a committed teammate who serves others and cares deeply about those around her. Her legacy will impact many future Bruins, and this is an incredible and well-deserved honor [for her]."
Burke graduated Summa Cum Laude this spring with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Burke earned a 3.5 GPA or better in each of her eight semesters at George Fox, making her an eight-time member of the Dean's List and a four-time All-NWC Scholar-Athlete.
Outside of the work Burke put in on the field and in the classroom, she was involved in a plethora of service groups including Bruins in the Classroom, Serve Day, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and most recently helped the Bruins raise money for HEADStrong, an organization that provides assistance to families affected by cancer.
Burke found an equal amount of success on the field during her time as a Bruin, helping the team notch an undefeated 30-0 record against Northwest Conference foes. She was named an All-American by InsideLacrosse magazine after the abbreviated 2020 season - the first such honor for any team in the NWC - and is a three-time All-NWC athlete, as well as having earned multiple All-Region accolades from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches of American (IWLCA). She also helped the team notch the first NCAA postseason appearance for any NWC school in 2019 when the Bruins faced Colorado College in the second round of NCAA tournament play.
A four-year team captain, Burke's name appears in the George Fox record books 48 times, ranking in the top ten in 21 categories. She owns all the single-game, single-season, and career draw control records at George Fox, including a six-way tie with herself with 10 draws won in a game.
The NCAA will determine its first pool of finalists (top 30) for the 2020 Woman of the Year award in early September.
