SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – In the midst of a memorable season for the IUP field hockey program, senior midfielder Sydney Schmouder added another accomplishment to her collegiate career, becoming the first Crimson Hawk field hockey student-athlete to earn the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Champion Scholar Award.

The honor recognizes the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average among the participating teams at the PSAC Field Hockey Championships.

Schmouder, an exercise science/pre-physical therapy major from Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, earned the distinction as IUP prepares to compete in the PSAC semifinals for the first time since 2012.

The Crimson Hawks have enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in more than a decade, recording their highest win total since the 2012 campaign while advancing to the conference semifinals.

Schmouder has played an important role in that success, putting together a career year on the field. The senior midfielder has recorded a career-high four goals and three assists for 11 points this season, providing a consistent presence in the Crimson Hawks' midfield.

Her contributions extend well beyond the playing field, where she has established herself as one of the program's top academic performers.

Schmouder was previously named to the 2025 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II National Academic Squad and earned NFHCA Scholar of Distinction recognition, highlighting her commitment to academic excellence while competing at the collegiate level.

With the recognition, Schmouder becomes just the third IUP student-athlete to receive a PSAC Champion Scholar Award and the first Crimson Hawk to earn the distinction during the 2026-27 academic year.

The award adds to an already memorable senior season for Schmouder, who has helped lead IUP back to the PSAC semifinals while continuing to excel academically.