Middlebury women's ice hockey forward Meg Simon has been selected as the first student-athlete in school history to be recognized as a nominee for the 2026 Hockey Humanitarian Award. She is one of 12 student-athletes to be recognized and one of four from the NCAA Division III level.

"Being nominated for the prestigious Hockey Humanitarian Award is an incredible honor, and I am very proud of our program's impact in the small town of Middlebury, Vermont," Simon said. "Serving alongside my teammates and making true friends in our community has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at Middlebury. This recognition reflects the power of a shared purpose."

HIGHLIGHTS

• Simon becomes the 15th NESCAC ice hockey player to be nominated for the national honor.
• The senior has been heavily involved in the Panther community and beyond. She serves as the Co-Chair of Volunteering for the Middlebury women's ice hockey program and has worked with multiple local organizations, including the Middlebury Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) and Special Olympics Vermont.
• She is also a member of the Yellow House Community, an organization that provides safe, residential housing and meaningful vocation to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• On campus, Simon has held roles as the President of Middlebury College Access Mentors (MiddCAM) and a RADical Health Mentor.
• The Panther has served on Middlebury's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is a social media/content creator for both the Middlebury women's golf and women's ice hockey programs.
• Simon has appeared in 41 career ice hockey contests. She tallied the first two assists of her career earlier this season against Vermont State University Castleton and Wesleyan.
• The senior has helped the Panthers to back-to-back NCAA Semifinals appearances and has been a four-year member of the women's golf team.

"I have known Meg for five years, and I consider her to be one of the finest people I have ever met at Middlebury College," said Bill Mandigo, head women's ice hockey coach. "From her first day on campus, Meg has jumped in with both feet to give to others. Her dedication to service and community engagement has allowed her to give back to those around her. I truly believe Meg is hockey's finest citizen."

"Throughout four years as a two-sport athlete at Middlebury, Meg has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to service, leadership and community engagement, using ice hockey and golf as a powerful vehicle to uplift others and expand access to sport," said Tim Walko, head women's golf coach. "Her impact reaches far beyond the rink and golf course, reflecting the very essence of what the Hockey Humanitarian Award represents."

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Now in its 31st year, the award is presented annually to a student-athlete who makes significant contributions to his or her team and to the community through leadership in volunteerism.
• Williams' William Bruce is the lone NESCAC winner of the prestigious honor in 2008.
• Boston University's J.P. McKersie was the inaugural recipient of the award in 1996.

The five finalists for the award will be announced in February. The winner of the 2026 Hockey Humanitarian Award will be revealed during the NCAA Men's Frozen Four weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday, April 10. The full list of nominees can be found here.