Rebecca Bradford ’10 Honored as ODAC’s Top Female Scholar-Athlete
One of the top players in the history of the volleyball program, Bradford is the first female student-athlete at the College to receive this prestigious award.
By Joe Wasiluk | June 14, 2010
Salem, Va. - Rebecca Bradford's three-year stay at Virginia Wesleyan College produced a consistent list of accomplishments academically and athletically.
Despite the fact she graduated in May with a degree in recreation and leisure studies, earning Virginia Wesleyan’s 2010 Outstanding Major in Recreation and Leisure Studies Award, the awards continue to roll in. The latest award is a major honor for any student-athlete in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).
Bradford has been named the recipient of the 2010 Marjorie Berkley Scholar-Athlete Award as the top female student-athlete in the conference. She is the first Virginia Wesleyan female to win the award. The College has received the male version of the award, the Harry G. "Doc" Jopson Scholar-Athlete Award once, when John Tomasheski received the honor in 2003.
Both awards are presented to the student-athletes who exhibit the highest athletic, academic and extracurricular achievements. Bradford soared in all three areas.
“This is an extremely high honor, not only for Rebecca, but also for Virginia Wesleyan," said Athletic Director Joanne Renn. "She is a special individual in all areas and we were fortunate to have her at the College. I don't think there was ever a time that I saw Rebecca without a smile or her face or a kind word for anyone she talked with. I'm very proud of Rebecca and extremely happy for her."
In the classroom, Bradford excelled en route to graduating a year early. She maintained a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and was twice named the recipient of the W. B. Shaffer, Jr. Scholar Athlete Award, recognizing the College's student-athlete earning the highest GPA. Bradford was also named twice as the ODAC/Farm Bureau Student Athlete of the Year in volleyball, was named to the Virginia Sports Information Directors' Academic All-State team three times, and was a two-time ESPN the Magazine/College Sports Information Directors of America All-District honoree. Bradford is a member of Rho Phi Lambda, the national honor society for recreation, park and leisure services, Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society, and Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honor society.
That drive that distinguished Bradford as an academic leader at Virginia Wesleyan also ignited her to become one of the top players in the history of the Marlins' volleyball program. She helped to guide the Marlins to a three-year record of 63-35, highlighted by program-record 23 win seasons in 2008 and 2009. Honors started to roll in early for Bradford as she was named the 2007 ODAC and Virginia Rookie of the Year. She also received All-ODAC that year and has been tagged as a first-team all-conference and All-Virginia honoree the past two years.
Bradford exits the Virginia Wesleyan program with season records in kills (402) and total attacks (1184). She is ranked No. 2 in career total attacks (3125) and No. 3 in kills (1030) and digs (1211). She is also currently the only volleyball player in College history to record 20 or more kills six times during her career.
"Becca was one of the hardest workers in our program," said Head Volleyball Coach Andrea Hoover. "She is a driven and disciplined person in everything she tackles. She has a huge heart! She always wants to do the right thing. I truly enjoyed recruiting and coaching Becca. She is a unique and talented individual who has played a key role in the progress our program has made to date."
While expertly managing her time with athletics and academics, Bradford also made time to give back to the community as a volunteer in numerous projects. She has given her time as a special events volunteer at Sovereign Grace Church in Chesapeake, Va., the Learn 2 Swim program sponsored by Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation, and in the Cooking for Kids program, sponsored by Virginia Wesleyan’s Office of Community Service. She has also been a Peer Advisor at the College, made and donated ceramic bowls for the Empty Bowls Charity dinner, and helped as fund raiser coordinator for Camp Silver Beach, among many other volunteer activities.
If all that wasn't enough, Bradford also took on a name change while at Virginia Wesleyan. She began her academic and athletic career at the College as Rebecca Leedom, but graduated as Rebecca Bradford. She married Jeff Bradford ’05 in 2009.
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