Amy Sullivan Nordmann was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America Hall of Fame® during ceremonies in San Diego on Sunday, July 1.
Nordmann, a 1994 WUSTL graduate, is the University Athletic Association’s (UAA) first-ever honoree and joins class of 2007 inductees Julie Foudy (Stanford University, class of 1993), Joe Girardi (Northwestern University, 1986), Lance Pilch (U.S. Air Force Academy, 1993) and Steve Smith (Stanford University, 1980). The five inductees joined 93 previous inductees since the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame held its first induction in 1988.
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“The class of 2007 is the ultimate example of the types of individuals who exemplify everything positive about the Academic All-America program and the Hall of Fame,” said Doug Dull of the University of Maryland, the 2006-07 CoSIDA president. “The members of CoSIDA are proud to play a part in this tremendous event.”
Nordmann closed her phenomenal three-year career at Washington University with three NCAA Division III championships (1991, 1992, 1993). A two-time first-team Division III All-America selection, she was twice named the GTE Academic All-America of the Year for the college division.
After attending Occidental College as a freshman, Nordmann helped Washington U. amass an overall record of 126-6 (.955) and set NCAA records with 59 consecutive wins and 77 straight victories versus Division III opponents. She ranks third on the WUSTL career charts in service aces (284) and solo blocks (174), eighth in hitting percentage (.363) and ninth in total blocks (344).
In addition to excelling in volleyball and in the classroom, Nordmann found plenty of time for community service activities during her college years. She helped operate the largest student-run charity carnival in the nation and volunteered at the St. Louis University hospital’s emergency room, the Hope Center for Abused Children and a retirement center.
“Amy was simply a coach’s dream. She was incredibly talented in the classroom and on the court,” said Washington University Director of Athletics John Schael. “Those talents, when coupled with her work ethic, competitive attitude and unwavering dedication and leadership, made her a special player and teammate. Simply said, she was at her best against the best.”
Nordmann, a St. Louis native who recently moved to Houston, received numerous accolades for her athletic and academic prowess, with the list including an NCAA Top Six award in 1993 and the State of Missouri’s NCAA Woman of the Year award in 1994. She was also chosen as the Division III female recipient of the Woody Hayes National Scholar Athlete Award, given by the University Seratoma Club of Columbus, Ohio, based on excellence in academics, athletics and community service.
“I continue to be as proud of Amy now as I was when coaching her,” former Washington University volleyball coach Teri Clemens said. “This award is quite appropriate as Amy challenges herself and thrives at a Hall of Fame level and pace on a daily basis. Amy is truly a championship student-athlete continuing to compete and succeed beyond class and court.”
Nordmann, who was a state finalist in the competition for a Rhodes scholarship, went on to attend the Washington University School of Medicine, graduating in 1999. Her professional career has included time as an instructor at WUSTL’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, and now serves as a radiologist specializing in Breast Imaging for Rose Imaging Specialists in Houston.
CoSIDA established the Hall of Fame to honor former college student-athletes who have excelled in their professions and made substantial contributions to their communities. To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, a candidate either had to be an Academic All-America® team member who graduated at least 10 years ago, or fall into the honorary category.
The Hall of Fame is an offshoot of CoSIDA’s core Academic All-America program, which is sponsored by ESPN the Magazine. CoSIDA recognizes over 800 athletes annually as Academic All-Americas, and also selects in excess of 2,000 annually for Academic All-District honors.
This year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina as part of CoSIDA’s annual workshop. Serving as the master of ceremonies was ESPN analyst and former UCLA basketball coach Steve Lavin.