Richmond, VA - Hofstra University women's lacrosse player
Cara Scanio has been chosen as the recipient of the 2022 John H. Randolph Inspiration Award by the Colonial Athletic Association.
The award recognizes individuals who through strength of character and human spirit serve as an inspiration to all to maximize their potential and ability for success. It is named after former William & Mary athletic director John Randolph, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in 1995.
Scanio, a native of Massapequa, N.Y., has been faced with multiple personal hardships in her life, but has used those challenges to inspire, motivate and help others. She suffered a torn ACL during her junior year in high school, and after the injury didn't heal properly, went through a second surgery during her freshman year at Hofstra. While recovering from the surgery, Cara's mother, Suzanne Scanio, was diagnosed with breast cancer that ultimately spread to her brain. After a valiant battle, Suzanne passed away during Cara's sophomore year of college.
"Cara continues to inspire everyone around her with how she carries herself and motivates and galvanizes the community around her," commented Hofstra Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Shannon Smith. "I am honored to be Cara's coach and we know her impact on this world is just getting started. We are so thankful to the Colonial Athletic Association and also to the One Love Foundation for recognizing her. Cara has done incredible work with The Suzanne M. Scanio Foundation in memory of her mother and she has become a beacon of 'Pride' within our campus and Long Island community."
In an extremely difficult time personally, Cara and her family founded the Suzanne M. Scanio Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists families facing hardship or grief. While balancing the demands of being student-athlete, Cara has organized clothing drives and a variety of fundraising events, including the inaugural 5K Walk/Run for the Suzanne M. Scanio Foundation.
Cara is heavily involved in other activities at Hofstra. She co-runs Hofstra's Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization and has helped organize Hofstra's involvement with Morgan's Message, which strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics.
Last May, Cara was named the recipient of the Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award for NCAA Division I women's lacrosse. The award recognizes the accomplishments of six student-athletes who help their teams achieve success in ways that may not be measured in goals, saves or ground balls. The honor places value on kindness and generosity, characteristics that are often undervalued in the competitively charged environment of college lacrosse.
PAST RANDOLPH AWARD RECIPIENTS
2021
Mark Faello Hofstra
Tom Kuster James Madison
2020 Aashaka Desai Delaware
Yeedee Thaenrat Towson
2019 Kionna Jeter Towson
2018 Trai Sharp James Madison
2017 Kathryn Ostrom UNCW
2016 Nicole Dennion Elon
2015 Dr. Maravene Loeschke Towson
2014 Heather Hartman Delaware
2013
Nick Colleluori Hofstra
UNCW women's soccer UNCW
2012 Shelia Moorman James Madison
2011 Steven Vincent Delaware
2010 Dawn Evans James Madison
2009 Meghan Bain James Madison
2008 T.J. Carter UNCW
2007 Nicole Hester Drexel
2006 Kevin DuPrey Delaware
2005 Julia Shapiro Delaware
2004 Beth Childs Drexel
Alan Lindsey James Madison
Brannon Thomas William & Mary
2003 Ricky Beecher Towson
2002 Paul Tuohey Drexel
2001 Mandy Welch Delaware
2000 Laura Kenney George Mason
Liz Paoli George Mason
1999 Maria-Elena Calle VCU
1998 Felicia Allen Old Dominion
1997 Scott Pearson American
1996 Barbara Blosser William & Mary
John Welbourn East Carolina
