FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Women's Basketball graduate student Lauren Beach was named a recipient of the Kay Yow Servant Leader award, given annually to student-athletes who best exemplify the characteristics of Coach Kay Yow. Beach, a graduate student in Fairfield's nationally-ranked nursing program holds a 3.8 overall grade point average and was also selected as the MAAC's representative in the NCAA Student-Athlete Engagement Group last season.
 
"I'm really excited and I think it's a great opportunity," Beach said. "I know there are a lot of college athletes who would like to be a servant leader so I'm really looking forward to the experience."
 
"Beach lives her whole life as a servant leader, caring for others as a nurse in her studies and future profession, in our program, and in our community," Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis said. "She is incredibly selfless with her time, pours into the people around her, and has a heart for helping others. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund and our Play4Kay hits home for a lot of the people in our program, Lauren included. She is going to be a wonderful servant leader this season as she will continue to be who she is and lift others up!"
 
Beach is a graduate student in Fairfield's nationally-ranked Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, holding a 3.81 cumulative grade point average during her four years. In her studies, she has worked in clinicals in the surrounding area including at Saint Vincent's Hospital and Yale New Haven Health.
 
For the Stags, she has served as a team co-captain for two seasons and has been an important part in the leadership for the squad that has led to back-to-back MAAC Championships. She is a three-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection while appearing in 51 games and starting 15 contests over the last two seasons.
 
"I put a lot of time and attention into basketball and everyone on my team does too," Beach said. "But the reality is that we spend a lot of our time and our lives off the court. How you're treating your teammates and everyone around you is super important because you're going to carry that with you for the rest of your life."
 
Recipients of the Servant Leader Award are people of great character who put the needs of others before their own, who uplift others, and who do it with grace and humility. They are nominated by their coach, and are people who exemplify Coach Yow's spirit and who reflect her resolve, grace, generosity, and servant's heart. Winners display courage and strength, and their first response is to give to others. They are people who have, or will make an impact in the fight against cancer – improving lives and giving hope.