Indianapolis -- The NCAA announced on Wednesday that Loyola University Maryland's Syndi Black was selected as a NCAA Top 30 Women of the Year Nominee. 

The NCAA Women of the Year Award was established in 1991 and recognizes female student athletes who have completed their undergraduate degrees and distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers.

Black is the first Greyhound to be selected as one of the top-10 Division I Nominee's for the Women of the Year Award. 

"Sydni Black is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding student-athletes to ever come through our lacrosse program" said Jen Adams. "Her relentless drive, incredible talent, and unyielding passion continue to amaze me with each accolade she earns, even long after her college playing career has ended. Sydni is a leader in every sense of the word, and her work ethic has always been unmatched. She has left an enduring legacy, and this NCAA Top 30 nomination only further confirms the mind-blowing impact she has had on those around her. I'm thrilled that others are now seeing what we've been fortunate to witness firsthand for years."

Black wrapped up her playing career with the Greyhounds this past season, posting the best year of her career, as starting all 21 games. She scored a career-best 76 goals and 30 assists for 106 points. Her 76 goals were the second-most in a single season in Loyola history, as her 106 points were the fourth most in a single season.
 
She finished her career at Loyola as one of the best attacker's in program history, finishing ranked ninth in career goals (178). She also is ranked ninth in points (248). During the summer of 2024, Black continued her playing career professionally with Athletes Unlimited, posting 25 points in 12 games with 14 goals and 11 assists

Black has also excelled in the classroom, earning her bachelor's degree in information systems and data analytics with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 and graduating Summa Cum Laude. During her career, she received Academic All-Patriot League honors twice and was recognized as the 2024 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

She was an active member of the Loyola  community, serving as a member of the Student Board to the President in addition to the Diversity Advisory Board and being a co-founder of Loyola's Student-Athletes for Social Justice.



Sydni Black's Personal Statement from the NCAA Woman of the Year Nomination –

Growing up, I often heard how challenging it is to become what you cannot see. My dream to play lacrosse at the highest level was set against the stark reality of how few Black female players there are; only three percent in the NCAA. This disparity ignited a determination in me to change that narrative. As I embarked on my collegiate journey as a student-athlete, my primary goal was to leave a positive impact on my community and the sport itself. The fear of being one of the few Black athletes on the field was daunting, yet I knew that athletes have the power to inspire the next generation. I aspired to show future players of color that they, too, belong on any field or in any space they choose.
 
Securing an athletic scholarship to Loyola University was just the beginning. I was determined to prove my worth beyond the field. Receiving the University's Presidential Scholarship and joining the Sellinger School of Business and Management's honors program opened doors I had never imagined. These opportunities propelled me into leadership roles, such as serving on the University's Diversity Advisory Board, where I worked to enhance campus life for minorities and educate the majority on the experiences of those labeled as "other." My passion for social
justice also led me to co-found and co-lead Student-Athletes for Social Justice, a group dedicated to raising awareness about issues affecting the Baltimore community and fostering dialogue across different races and backgrounds. Additionally, I served on the President's student leadership board, advocating for student-athletes, people of color, and women, ensuring their voices were heard.
 
Beyond athletics and advocacy, I excelled academically, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree focused on technology, a field where Black women represent just three percent of the workforce. This familiar statistic served as a reminder of the challenges I've faced and overcome, both on the field and in the classroom. My academic success and my passion for technology have positioned me to break barriers and set new precedents for future generations of Black women in tech.
 
In my final year, I was honored to be the student speaker at the Business Leader of the Year event, where more than 800 of Baltimore and the Greater D.C., Maryland, and Virginia's most prominent business leaders gathered. Speaking about my experiences as a student-athlete and receiving a standing ovation was a powerful affirmation that not only did I belong in those rooms, but I was also meant to be there, sharing my journey and inspiring others. These experiences culminated in achieving my dreams: competing for my National Team with Olympic ambitions, being drafted fifth overall professionally, and earning the title of my conference's Offensive Player of the Year. Despite often being the only person who looked like me on the field or in the classroom, I never allowed it to be a barrier. My mission was always to drive change. Now, as I leave college, I am confident that no little girl with big dreams needs to fear being the first; she can proudly be herself.