Marist's Yarde Is MAAC's Top Student-Athlete

The reigning MAAC women's Player of the Year recently added another award to her collection, possibly the most impressive one of all.

Recent Marist graduate Corielle Yarde, a do-everything guard, was named the conference's 2011-12 Female Student-Athlete of the Year earlier this week.

The award was instituted in 2001 as a means to recognize overall excellence in the classroom, on the playing field and in the community. Each conference member nominated one male and one female athlete to be considered for the honor. Nominees must have at least a 3.2 overall grade point average, be in at least their second year of residence at the institution and be a starter or important reserve on their team.

Yarde becomes the fourth Marist student-athlete to receive the award, joining former women's basketball players Rachelle Fitz (2009-10) and Alisa Kresge (2006-07) and David Bennett of the men's team (2002-03).

Yarde led the Red Foxes in nearly every statistical category this past season, including finishing as the team leader in scoring (14.3 ppg.), rebounding (6.5), assists (4.2) and blocked shots (1.0).

Yarde also excelled in the classroom. She was a three-time member of the MAAC's All-Academic Team. She was also nominated for the NCAA's Woman of the Year. Along with her teammates, she volunteered at the Special Olympics and participated in a Kids Day Out program this spring. Yarde graduated Cum Laude, receiving her degree from Marist in Psycholoy and Special Education.