MANCHESTER, N.H. – Ally Irish '21, a recent graduate of Saint Anselm College and a member of its nationally-ranked women's lacrosse team, was announced as the recipient of the Charles J. Quinn Female Sportsmanship Award on Wednesday.

Voted on by members of the Department of Athletics at Saint Anselm, the Charles J. Quinn Sportsmanship Award recognizes both male and female student-athlete who best exemplifies and demonstrates the values of sportsmanship on and off the playing surface. 

The College's nominee for the Northeast-10 Conference Woman of the Year award in late May, Irish has excelled in the classroom and on the field, helping her team to the NE10 Divisional Finals against Bentley in the 2021 postseason. Irish has also earned spots on the institution's Dean's List for the past three years, while also earning the Division II Athletics Directors Association (ADA) Academic Achievement Award as a sophomore.

A six-time NE10 Commissioner's Honor Roll selection, she played in six games for the Hawks in 2021, totaling one ground ball and one caused turnover. Irish has made a key impact on the Saint Anselm Athletics community, co-founding the Head Game Project, an initiative intending to support Saint Anselm student-athletes and help them to understand the importance of their psychological well-being. It also establishes a culture of openness and support for student-athletes struggling with mental health issues.

The work of Irish has not gone unnoticed as she was recently featured on the NCAA Social Series, hosted by Andy Katz, to talk about different topics around the NCAA and all of its member schools. Ultimately, the Head Game Project exists to have the discussions surrounding mental health as it relates to on-field and off-field performance. She is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.

"Ally has been an incredible teammate and member of the Saint Anselm community in her time on the Hilltop," said Head Coach Meghan Smith, a 2012 graduate of Saint Anselm. "Ally and the Head Game Project have helped run multiple events on campus and established a strong foundation for the group to help future athletes. Ally is constantly putting the needs of her teammates and other before herself."

Irish is the fourth member of the Hawks women's lacrosse program since 2013 to collect the College's prestigious Sportsmanship Award.

Also considered for the award were Holly Manchester of the Hawks volleyball team and Jayden Young, a four-year member of the Saint Anselm women's ice hockey program.