Phoenix's Hardy named 2020-21 Graber Award winner
Charlotte, NC - Phoenix's (AZ) Brianna Hardy has been named the 2020-21 Betty Jo Graber NJCAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year.
A standout two-way player on the Bears' softball team, Hardy led Phoenix to win the 2021 NJCAA Division II Softball Championship title in May at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, AL. The Bears put together an incredible seventh-inning comeback against Jones (MS), scoring three runs with two outs to take the lead and clinch the title. Hardy pitched the full seven innings in the national final game, leaving the circle with eight strikeouts. At the national tournament, Hardy earned Most Valuable Player honors.
During the regular season, Hardy's pitching resume will be remembered as one of the most dominant seasons in NJCAA softball history. The sophomore earned 32 wins and one save inside the circle throughout Phoenix's 45-game schedule. Hardy led the NJCAA in six major pitching categories including wins (32), complete games (27), shutouts (14), strikeouts (325), strikeouts per game (12.10), and earned run average (1.08).
Hardy's historic season was honored with accolades including NJCAA Division II Softball First All-America, National Fastpitch Coaches Association NJCAA DII National Pitcher of the Year, and Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year.
Hardy will be honored during the inaugural NJCAA Foundation Awards event, presented by the Nicole and David Tepper Foundation, held virtually on Thursday, June 24 at 6:30 PM ET / 5:30 PM CT. The event will recognize the NJCAA Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year, the Lea Plarski Award winner, the Champion Award winners, and the Difference Maker Award winner, in addition to the inaugural class of the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
To register for the free event and to learn more regarding the NJCAA Foundation Awards, visit: NJCAA Foundation Awards
To learn more about past NJCAA Female Student-Athletes of the Year, visit: Betty Jo Graber Award Winners
About the NJCAA Betty Jo Graber Award
Betty Jo Graber was an influential leader in the Association and helped pioneer the creation of the Women's Division of the NJCAA in 1975. As the NJCAA Region 5 Women's Director, Graber chaired the Association's women's basketball committee from its inception in 1975 until her retirement in 1991. In addition to her contributions on the NJCAA Board of Directors, Graber helped establish the NJCAA Women's Basketball Coaches Association and was a member of its inaugural hall of fame class in 1998. Also, a member of the national Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, Graber was a leader that exhibited dedication, service, and resilience - traits that are recognized annually to the top female student-athlete with the award named in her honor.
