William Smith field hockey graduate student Rebecca Mantione was one of just 21 female fall sport student-athletes across all three NCAA divisions to receive an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Mantione is just the 12th Heron student-athlete, and first since Margaret McConnell '14, to receive this prestigious scholarship.
 
"Rebecca exemplifies the very ideals this scholarship is designed to honor: academic excellence, competitive achievement, leadership, resilience, and meaningful service," said Head Coach Sophie Riskie '07. "She has excelled in one of the most demanding academic programs at Hobart and William Smith, while competing at the highest level of NCAA Division III athletics.
 
A five-year starter on the field hockey team and three-time All-Liberty League selection, Mantione played in 87 career games, producing 83 points on 29 goals, including six game-winners, and 25 assists. The two-time NFHCA All-Region selection guided the Herons to back-to-back Liberty League titles in 2022 and 2023, two NCAA tournament appearances and four consecutive postseason appearances. Mantione's final season as a Heron saw her record a career-high and team-leading 25 points on nine goals and seven assists. She was the NFHCA Division III Offensive Performer of the Week as well as the Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week on Sept. 14, after combining for nine points on four goals and an assist in the William Smith Classic. Mantione finished the season sixth in the conference in goals per game (.429), fifth in assists per game (.333) and fifth in points per game (1.19).
 
"Rebecca consistently strives for excellence in all areas of her life, leads by example, elevates those around her, and approaches every challenge with purpose and humility," said Riskie. "I am confident she will continue to make a lasting and positive impact in her academic pursuits, her profession, and her community."

A student in the master of science in management program, Mantione graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science. Through her five years at HWS, Mantione has excelled in the classroom. She was a four-time Liberty League All-Academic, a four-time NFHCA National Academic Squad member and a four-time NFHCA Scholar of Distinction. Mantione was also awarded the First-Year Academic Achievement Award in 2021. In 2023, she earned the Evaleen C. Harrison '19 Award and followed that up with the Cynthia Oyler '93 Award in 2024. After graduation, she will pursue roles in software development and technology in hopes of landing a position with the Smithsonian Institution, where she can combine her interests in management and technology to help support and expand its mission to increase and share knowledge with the public.
 
"Rebecca's leadership, determination, and competitive drive have been central to the success of our field hockey program over the past five years," said Deputy Director of Athletics Liz Dennison. "She is an outstanding student and campus leader, and we are excited to see what she accomplishes next!"
 
The NCAA awards up to 126 postgraduate scholarships annually. The scholarships are split evenly between men and women for participants in fall, winter and spring sports. Each student-athlete receives a grant of $10,000. To qualify, student-athletes must excel academically and athletically, be in their final year of eligibility and plan to pursue graduate study. Student-athletes must also maintain at least a 3.2 grade point average and be nominated by their institution's faculty athletics representative. Created in 1964, NCAA postgraduate scholarships promote and encourage education by rewarding the Association's most accomplished student-athletes.
 
In addition to McConnell, Mantione also joins previous William Smith winners Cynthia Oyler '93, Sarah Daniels '95, Nancy Greenlaw '97, Kim Rausch '98, Wendi Schoff '98, Althea Jaderquist '99, Lisa Krug '99, Ami Ford '00, Sophie Dennis '07 and Emily D'Addario '13.