SHERMAN, Texas - Austin College Athletics is excited to announce the Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial Student-Athlete of the Week, an award highlighing our great student-athletes on and off the field of play each week. This week's honoree is 'Roo women's basketball player Natalie McCoy.

McCoy, a freshman guard from San Antonio, became a vital part of the 'Roo women's basketball team's success over the course of the season, appearing in 25 of the team's 26 games. The point guard averaged 3.7 points and reached double-figures twice, and during the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference portion of the schedule saw her scoring average rise to 4.5 points-per-game. However, it isn't just on the court where McCoy is looking to make an impact. Despite being only a freshman, she's already got her sights set on big things in her future. Namely, becoming an NCAA Division I athletics director.

To get a jump start on her career path, McCoy will be heading to Kansas City in late April to attend the NCAA's Women's Leadership Symposium. There, she'll connect with high profile athletics administrators, as well as other athletics administration professionals at various levels, connecting and networking while also acquiring a better understanding of how the college athletics industry operates. And befitting her drive to succeed, it was an opportunity she sought out and pursued entirely on her own.

"I came across the Women's Leaders in College Sports organization and wanted to be a part of all the opportunities and assistance they can offer in becoming an effective woman in college sports," said McCoy. "Once I became a member I saw the symposium they offered, which helps newcomers and people wanting to reach higher goals in their careers. It accepts 100 members, and I applied and got accepted."

For McCoy, the goal of attending the symposium is to learn what it's like to work in college athletics administration, as well as what it takes to succeed in the profession, in addition to connecting with professionals in the field. Ultimately, it's simply the first step toward gaining knowledge and insight into who, how, and why college athletics departments hire who they hire, and cultivating relationships that will help her reach her longterm goal of working at the highest level in collegiate athletics.