Rylee Stafford Finalist For Jostens Trophy
ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Fontbonne University women’s basketball player Rylee Stafford became the first player in program history to be a finalist for the Jostens Trophy.
ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Fontbonne University women's basketball player Rylee Stafford became the first player in program history to be a finalist for the Jostens Trophy.
"Rylee's dedication and loyalty to our program, university, and community are unmatched," said head coach Michael Fitzgerald. "These qualities will be why she will succeed in anything she decides to pursue in her future."
The Jostens Trophy honors one for men's basketball and one for women's basketball – are national awards created by the Rotary Club of Salem and sponsored by the Jostens Inc., to recognize the most outstanding men's and women's Division III basketball players of the year.
The awards focus on three major criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess, a service to one's surrounding communities. The Jostens Trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of a well-rounded Division III student-athlete.
Stafford, a Jackson, Mo., native, had another dominating 2021-22 season where she was named to the SLIAC First Team after averaging career-high 20.5 points per game and shooting 35.4 percent from beyond-the-arc.
The senior guard also became the single-season leader at Fontbonne and in the SLIAC with 85 3-pointers made and career 3-pointers made with 298.
She also set the Fontbonne program record with 348 career free throws made, became the single-season leader in total points with 491 and is the all-time leader at Fontbonne with 1,744 career points.
Off the court, Stafford was named to the SLIAC All-Academic Team where a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above.
To view all the nominees visit HERE.
About Fontbonne University
Fontbonne University is a private, Catholic liberal arts university located in St. Louis, committed to a transformative education and inspiring students to become global citizens who think critically, act ethically and serve responsibly. The university, founded in 1923, is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. For more information, visit www.fontbonne.edu.
Make sure to follow the women's basketball team on all its social media accounts: Twitter (@fontbonnewbb), Instagram (@fontbonnewbb) and Facebook (/FontbonneUGriffins).