Sam Schott Named 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year After Historic Career at UT Tyler
| College Sports & Education
Sam Schott, the standout softball star from The University of Texas at Tyler, has been named the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year, one of the most prestigious honors awarded to a graduating female student-athlete.
The award recognizes excellence across athletics, academics, leadership, and community service — areas in which Schott has built an extraordinary legacy.
A Life-Changing Call on a Team Bus
Schott received some of the most meaningful news of her life during a routine bus ride to a preseason tournament.
It was a call from UT Tyler — confirming her acceptance into medical school.
Surrounded by teammates and coaches, the moment quickly turned emotional. Phones came out, hugs followed, and music filled the bus.
“I was definitely crying in the moment,” Schott said. “Getting to celebrate with my teammates right there was something really special that I’ll always remember.”
That call marked yet another milestone in a collegiate journey defined by determination and balance.
Dominance on the Field, Excellence in the Classroom
During her time as a UT Tyler Patriot, Schott helped lead the softball program to back-to-back NCAA Division II national championships, cementing the team as a national powerhouse.
Her individual accomplishments include:
- Two Lone Star Conference Golden Glove Awards
- UT Tyler record for sacrifice hits
- Leadership role throughout championship runs
Academically, Schott graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biochemistry from the university’s Honors College, exemplifying the rare combination of elite athletic and academic performance.
The Meaning Behind the Woman of the Year Honor
The NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female athletes who demonstrate outstanding achievement in athletics, academics, leadership, and service.
For Schott, the recognition carried special weight.
“I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of it at first,” she said. “When I saw the list of athletes who were also nominated — people I grew up admiring — it really hit me.”
Leadership Rooted in Relationships
While the trophies and awards are impressive, Schott credits her success to relationships and community.
“My time at UT Tyler was more than national championships,” she said. “The friendships with my teammates and the life lessons from my coaches will stay with me forever.”
Teammates frequently describe Schott as the emotional and spiritual anchor of the team.
“From the moment I stepped on campus, Sam welcomed me with open arms,” teammate Sam Garcia said. “She was always there when I needed someone to talk to.”
A Heart for Service, Shaped Early in Life
Schott’s compassion and leadership began long before college.
Growing up, she played a key role in helping her younger brother Zachary, who has autism, working with him on speech therapy and daily learning exercises.
“She learned patience and empathy at a very young age,” her mother Renea Schott said. “She’s always had a unique inner drive.”
That drive carried into high school, where Schott balanced long hours at the batting cage with academic study — often arriving early and leaving practice last.
Faith, Mentorship, and Example
At UT Tyler, Schott regularly led team prayers and was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, modeling leadership through service and humility.
“The second practice ended, she was studying,” Garcia recalled. “Her determination on and off the field was unmatched.”
Teammates describe her as hardworking, kind, accountable, and deeply supportive — a role model in every sense.
Medical Missions and a Calling to Heal
Schott’s passion for medicine deepened through her involvement with Refuge International, where she spent summers in Guatemala assisting medical teams serving communities with limited access to healthcare.
“Seeing how even small medical interventions could change lives solidified my passion for medicine,” she said.
She also supported causes such as:
- Special Olympics
- East Texas Food Bank
- Local and campus-based service initiatives
Leading by Example on the Championship Stage
Schott’s leadership extended into high-pressure moments on the field.
After falling short in the Division II semifinals her freshman and sophomore seasons, she helped guide UT Tyler to a dominant 10–1 national championship victory.
“We believed in each other completely,” she said. “That first championship — you can’t really put it into words.”
Carrying Softball’s Lessons Into Medicine
Now in her first year of medical school, Schott says softball prepared her for life beyond sports.
“Softball teaches grit,” she said. “It’s a game of failure — but you wake up, work harder, and keep moving forward.”
Her journey continues, but the foundation remains the same: discipline, service, and leadership.
“If there’s anyone whose behavior I would emulate,” her mother said, “it would be Sam.”