IRVING, Texas -- WKU soccer's Caitlin Hesse is one of 14 student-athletes that will receive the Conference USA Fall Spirit of Service award, as announced by C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod on Wednesday.
The C-USA Spirit of Service award is designed to recognize the community service efforts of the league's student-athletes, based upon significant community service, good academic standing and participation in their elected sport. The Spirit of Service award is present three times throughout the 2015-16 season, with Wednesday's honorees representing C-USA's fall sports: football, volleyball, cross country and soccer.
Hesse has been the definition of a student-athlete for WKU soccer, holding a perfect 4.0 GPA as a biology major and being named to Conference USA's All-Academic team in back-to-back seasons along with earning CoSIDA Academic All-District honors this year.
Outside of school work and soccer, Hesse has earned the reputation of the community service leader for the team. In February, she organized the team's sponsorship of a young girl named Arlyn from Ecuador with an organization called Compassion International. Through this sponsorship, Hesse and the team provide financial assistance and communicate with Aryln on a regular basis through hand-written letters and emails. Hesse has also helped organize other service efforts through "Stuff the Bus" and Operation Christmas Child fundraisers. She has taken multiple mission trips to Ecuador as well.
The Atlanta, Ga. native played a significant part of the 8-6-5 season for the WKU soccer team, starting in all 19 games for the Lady Toppers this season. The junior midfielder led the team in assists with four on the season and took the second most shots on the team.
2015 Fall C-USA Spirit of Service Honorees:
Britney Leigh Held, Charlotte, Volleyball
Arthur Clapot, FIU, Men's Soccer
Greg Joseph, Florida Atlantic, Football
Josh Gaston, Louisiana Tech, Football
Ally Kiekover, Marshall, Volleyball
Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee, Football
Amy Henard, North Texas, Volleyball
Grace Haverly, Old Dominion, Women's Soccer
Kara Dugall, Rice, Women's Soccer
Kay Kay Hypolite, Southern Miss, Women's Soccer
Hannah Coffin, UAB, Women's Cross Country
Bri Barreiro, UTEP, Women's Soccer
Aron Taylor, UTSA, Football
Caitlin Hesse, WKU, Women's Soccer
