IRVING, TEXAS – Old Dominion University men’s swimmer Graham Thatcher was named ODU’s winner of the Conference USA Winter Spirit of Service Award, C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod announced on Wednesday.
The C-USA Spirit of Service Award recognizes the community service efforts of the league’s student-athletes, based upon significant public service, good academic standing and participation in their elected sport. The Spirit of Service Award will be presented three times throughout the season, with today’s honorees representing Conference USA’s winter sports: men's and women's basketball, men’s and women's swimming and diving, and men's and women's indoor track and field.
Thatcher, a senior on the Old Dominion men’s swimming team, has served the community consistently during his time at ODU. As a park recreation tourism studies major, Thatcher served as a Special Olympics swim coach for three years, while also teaching wounded veterans how to surf through the Wave Warriors Surf Camp. The Hampton, Virginia, native keeps up a 3.11 GPA and was named to the ODU Dean’s List in 2013 and 2015.
In the pool, Thatcher helped the Monarchs to a first place finish in the 200 free relay at the C-USA Championships, and a second place spot in the 400 medley relay.
2016-17 WINTER C-USA SPIRIT OF SERVICE HONOREES:
Ciara Gregory, Charlotte, Women’s Basketball
Ally Mayhew, FIU, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Brenna Saukas, Florida Atlantic, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Kevione Moten, Louisiana Tech, Women’s Basketball
Jacob Kilgore, Marshall, Men’s Basketball
Abbey Sissom, Middle Tennessee, Women’s Basketball
Victoria Junious, North Texas, Women’s Track & Field
Graham Thatcher, Old Dominion, Men’s Swimming
Hanna Huston, Rice, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Courtney Filliben, Southern Miss, Women’s Track & Field
Deanna Kuzmanic, UAB, Women’s Basketball
Tyler Ragin, UTEP, Women’s Track & Field
Chelsea Taylor, UTSA, Women’s Track & Field
Justin Johnson, WKU, Men’s Basketball