March 8, 2006

DETROIT, Mich. - Wayne State women's hockey senior Jessica Snelgrove (Tecumseh, Ont.) has been named the College Hockey America Student-Athlete of the Year. The award is designated for a senior student-athlete who displays an exemplary level of leadership and dedication both in and out of athletic competition.

"Jessica is the quintessential student-athlete," said head coach Jim Fetter. "She displays the same level of intense commitment on the ice as she does in the classroom and the community."

Snelgrove, who will earn her fourth varsity letter in women's hockey this season, served as an assistant captain two years ago and a co-captain last season before being named team captain for 2005-06. She ranks tied-for-ninth all-time in points (39), 10th in goals (15), and tied-for-sixth in assists (24).

A versatile student-athlete, Snelgrove also spent two seasons playing for coach Gary Bryce on the WSU softball team, advancing to the College World Series in 2003.

In addition to her athletic prowess, Snelgrove excels in the classroom, carrying a cumulative grade point average of 3.38. She has been recognized on the CHA All-Academic team the last three seasons as well as the NCAA Softball Academic All-America team in 2003 and 2004.

In the summer of 2004, Snelgrove participated in an honors department undergraduate research project with Dr. Carl Freeman. After her imminent graduation from Wayne State with a bachelor's degree in biology, Snelgrove hopes to attend the WSU School of Law, to which she has already applied.

Snelgrove has also made her presence felt in many community projects. She was the lone student to serve on WSU President Irvin D. Reid's Blue Ribbon Committee in 2004-05. For the last three years, Snelgrove has been a member of the WSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has volunteered with the Freshman Orientation and Registration Program as well as at St. Leo's Soup Kitchen.

She has also helped coordinate the efforts of the women's hockey team in such projects as Relay For Life and "Skate for the Cure" Night, a fundraiser to benefit breast cancer research.

Snelgrove's collegiate hockey career will draw to a close this week as she leads the Warriors into the CHA Tournament, hosted by WSU at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum. Wayne State will face Niagara in the semifinals on Thursday, March 9, at 8:05 p.m. The winner will advance to face either Mercyhurst or Robert Morris in the championship game on Sunday, March 12, at 11:05 a.m.