Fresno State Athletics
Scott Receives NCAA Top VIII Award
1/9/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Scott's Career Highlights in PDF Format
NCAA Top VIII Award Information in PDF Format
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FRESNO, Calif. - Receiving one of the most coveted and prestigious awards handed out yearly by the NCAA, former Bulldog softball standout Amanda Scott is the university's first and the second-ever NCAA Division 1 softball player to be selected as a NCAA Top VIII Award winner, as announced by the NCAA this morning.
Scott, a four-time NCAA First Team All-American, a two-time WAC and Fresno State Female Athlete of the Year as well as a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Award winner, will be honored with seven other student-athletes on January 7, 2001, during the NCAA Convention in Orlando, Fla.
Considering all NCAA Division I, II and III student-athletes, the Top VIII Award singles out the top eight student-athletes who were outstanding senior student-athletes and demonstrated achievements in athletics, academics, and character, leadership and activities. From 1973 through 1985, this award was known as the Today's Top V Award and from 1986 through 1994, it was known as the Today's Top VI Award, before becoming the Today's Top VIII Award in 1995.
With the inaugural presentation in 1973 and with women being included in 1982 when they participated underneath the NCAA umbrella, the NCAA has honored 167 student-athletes since the program's birth. In addition, 52 female student-athletes have been selected previous to today's announcement. Of the 52, three have played softball: Lisa Fernandez, UCLA (1994), Kelly Schade, Simpson College (Division III, 2000) and Scott. Still further, Fresno State is the second straight Western Athletic Conference school to garner this award in as many years (Michael Ruffin, Tulsa basketball, 2000). Other current WAC schools and former affiliates who have had an award winner include BYU (4), SMU (3), Rice (1), San Jose State (1), Colorado State (1) and Utah (1).
Joining Scott as part of the 2001 class is Drew Breese of Purdue University (football), Matthew Busbee of Auburn University (swimming and diving), Alia Fischer of Washington University (Mo.) (Div. III, basketball), Andrea M. Garner of Pennsylvania State University (basketball), Kristy Kowal of the University of Georgia (swimming and diving), Kevin M. Listerman of Northern Kentucky University (Div. II, basketball), and Josh Sims of Princeton University (lacrosse).
In Scott's four years, she is Fresno State's most decorated student-athlete to suit up in a Bulldog uniform. A brief sketch of her accomplishments include the following:
- Led Fresno State to the 1998 NCAA Title -- university's first Division 1 team title in any sport
- Four-time First Team NCAA All-American
- NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Award winner
- NCAA Top VIII Award winner
- No. 1 pick in the 2000 Women's Pro Softball League draft
- Two-time GTE Academic All-American
- Two-time Fresno State Female Athlete of the Year -- second female to be a multiple recipient
- Two-time Joe Kearney Award winner (WAC Female Athlete of the Year) -- second multiple female winner
- Two-time All-Women's College World Series -- 1998 MVP
- Two-time NCAA individual statistical champion (ERA)
- Led Fresno State to back-to-back NCAA team titles in ERA
- Three-time team MVP
- Three-time WAC Pitcher of the Year -- 1997 WAC Freshman of the Year
- Three WAC titles -- 1999 WAC Tournament Championship crown & MVP)
- Career record is106-18 (.855) with 68 shutouts, 10 saves, 871.0 IP, 851 strikeouts, 0.55 ERA
- NCAA Postseason record is 13-6 with 93 strikeouts, 0.74 ERA while opponents batted .131 against her
- Holds six WAC career marks in pitching & hitting -- went 44-1 with 27 shutouts, 6 saves, 296 strikeouts, 292.2 IP, 0.38 ERA
- Ranks in three top 10 NCAA all-time career pitching records
- In NCAA statistics, ranked every week (36 consecutive) in pitching and/or hitting in career
- Top 25 Central Valley's Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century
- 2000 USA Softball Olympic Team alternate
- Led Fresno State to a 226-49 overall record with three NCAA Women's College World Series appearances
Notable student-athletes who have received this award and have gone on to national notoriety include:
- David Wottle (1973, track and field)
- Dylann Duncan (1989, volleyball)
- Archie Griffin (1976, football)
- Vicky L. Huber (1990, track and field)
- Lynette Woodward (1982, basketball)
- Suzy Favor (1991, cross country/track and field)
- Bruce Baumgartner (1983, wrestling)
- Edward McCaffrey (1991, football)
- John Elway (1983, football)
- Ty Detmer (1992, football)
- Charles "Karch" Kiraly (1983, volleyball)
- Lisa Fernandez (1994, softball)
- Steve Young (1984, football)
- John Roethlisberger (1994, gymnastics)
- Tracy Caulkins (1985, swimming and diving)
- Rebecca Lobo (1996, basketball)
- Doug Flutie (1985, football)
- Jenny Thompson (1996, swimming and diving)
- Lisa L. Ice (1987, volleyball)
- Atiim "Tiki" Barber (1997, football/track and field)
- Cheryl Miller (1987, basketball)
- Payton Manning (1998, football)
- Mary T. Meagher (1988, swimming and diving)
- Brian Griese (1998, football)
- David Robinson (1988, basketball)
- Kristin Folkl (basketball/volleyball)
