NEC Release (PDF)

Somserset, NJ - The Northeast Conference (NEC) named Alex Tomlinson (Telford, PA / Souderton) the recipient of its Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Student Athlete of the Year award. The honor, which culminates the NEC's awards program for the 2008-2009 academic year, reflects excellence in both the academic and athletic realms as well as one's contributions to the community.

Tomlinson's latest accolade comes only two weeks after the standout swimmer and water polo player was selected to receive the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, an educational grant awarded annually to a total of 174 student-athletes (87 women, 87 men) nationwide. Earlier in the summer, the NEC chose Tomlinson as its national candidate for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.

"Alex is someone who tries her best at every single thing she is involved with, whether it be swimming, nursing, her personal friendships or what have you," said Mark Sowa, Wagner swim coach. "Not only is winning this award an honor for her, but it was an honor for me to be able to coach her. She is a very special person and Wagner College has been lucky to have her these past four years."

Tomlinson, a four-year member of the NEC Academic Honor Roll as a swimmer, graduated summa cum laude with a 3.958 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) as a Nursing major. On three occasions, she qualified for the NEC Commissioner's Honor Roll, which requires a minimum 3.75 GPA. Tomlinson was a two-time ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-American and was twice named an Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (AWPCA) Academic All-American.

Selected as a captain for the swim and water polo teams, Tomlinson excelled in both sports. She swam her way onto the All-NEC second team honors in both the 1650 individual freestyle and 800 freestyle relay at this past February's NEC Swimming & Diving Championships where she also claimed bronze in the 500 individual freestyle. Tomlinson followed up her swim season by starting all 29 games for the water polo team. She scored a team-best 46 goals to raise her career total to 144, the fourth-highest mark in program history.

Tomlinson served as Vice President of Wagner's Student Nursing Association (2008-09), as well as the Secretary of the Tri Beta Honor Society (2006-08). An active member of Wagner's student body, she also found time for a community service initiatives. For more than four years, Tomlinson has volunteered her service to the Tunnel to Towers Run, which provides help for those families who lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks. She has worked to raise funds for a number of charitable organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia Society and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Selected through a vote of Northeast Conference SAAC members, Tomlinson is second Wagner student-athlete to earn the SAAC Student-Athlete of the Year award. Joy Gallagher, a basketball and softball, player earned the award for 2005-06.

Northeast Conference SAAC Student-Athlete of the Year Award Winners
2008-09 Alexandra Tomlinson Wagner
2007-08 Tiffany Hahn Monmouth
2006-07 Erika Jacobs Saint Francis (PA)
2005-06 Joy Gallagher Wagner
2004-05 Beth Swink Saint Francis (PA)
2003-04 Naomi Campano Mount St. Mary's
2002-03 Sabrina Mariani CCSU