Year: 2022
Award: Lacrosse, D-I College
Location/Affiliation: University of Denver
- First Team All-American
- Big East Defensive Player of the Year
- Finalist for the Tewaaraton Award
Sam Thacker is a defender who plays her position like an opportunistic attacker. Sam is a stopper. A taker. A victory maker.
In the 2022 NCAA women’s lacrosse season, Thacker was an elite problem for Division 1 opponents across the nation. Sam led the country in caused turnovers and caused turnovers per game for a Denver Pioneers defense that ranked first in total caused turnovers and fifth in scoring defense. Thacker also helped DU succeed in other critical elements of the game. She ranked second in both draw controls and ground balls for a team that won a Big East championship, a conference tournament title, and earned a 2nd-round appearance in the NCAA tournament.
The impact play of Thacker was recognized & rewarded often in 2022. She was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week four times, the IWLCA National Defensive Player of the Week twice, the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, an IWLCA First-Team All-American, and one of 25 finalists for the women’s Tewaaraton (tah-war-ah-tahn) Award – given to the most outstanding player in college lacrosse. And now tonight, we honor Sam Thacker from the University of Denver.
by Marty Cesario, freelance broadcast talent & content director, Colorado State Sports Network, Stream It Sports Productions, ESPN Radio, Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association, National Lacrosse League