A Hometown Homerun: UT Tyler’s Sam Schott Named NCAA Woman of the Year

by Hannah Buchanan

Among the shining stars at The University of Texas at Tyler is UT Tyler softball alum Samantha “Sam” Schott, who has hit the ultimate homerun to cap off her illustrious collegiate career. Last November, the National Collegiate Athletic Association announced that Schott––a back-to-back NCAA Division II National Champion––was the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year.

The East Texas native and May 2025 UT Tyler graduate became the first UT Tyler student-athlete to earn the award, and is now just the fifth Division II athlete, third Texas athlete, and second softball athlete to earn the honor. UT Tyler officials celebrated Schott and her accomplishment in a ceremony following the announcement, made by UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. The NCAA recognized her earlier this year, in January, during the organization’s annual convention near the nation’s capital.

Since 1991, female student-athletes who have completed their undergraduate studies are annually recognized for demonstrating excellence in academics, athletics, and community service throughout their college careers. Schott was one of the top 30 finalists for the 2025 honor, selected from a record-breaking 631 nominees submitted by member schools across all three NCAA divisions.

“When I arrived on campus, it quickly became clear that Sam Schott was special,” says UT Tyler Athletics Director and Interim Vice President of Student Success Dr. Sam Ferguson, who joined the university last April. “I’ve been personally inspired by Sam and consider it a true blessing to be on her team. Past recipients of this prestigious award include Olympic athletes, WNBA professionals, and leaders in both community and industry––and those women are in elite company with Sam Schott.”

During her four years on the Patriot softball team, Schott played 235 games––the most in program history and made 211 starts––the second most in program history. She is a three-time all-region selection, three-time All-Lone Star Conference selection, and two-time LSC Golden Glove winner. Schott hit a .327 for her career with 137 RBI and 59 extra base hits and is the current UT Tyler record holder for sacrifice hits. She was also named the 2025 recipient of the ELITE 90 Award for softball, given to the athlete with the highest GPA at the final site of championship competition.

Additionally, she was named a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-American, is a three-time CSC Academic All-District honoree, earned the 2024 Lone Star Conference Fred Jacoby Female Academic Athlete of the Year and 2024 LSC Academic Player of the Year, and received the 2025 LSC Scholar-Athlete Award.

With all the recognition and awards, Schott calls her faith in Jesus Christ her greatest achievement. “It’s through Him that I’m given all the abilities that I’m able to do in life,” she says. A moment of celebration and prayer of thanksgiving continuously stays with her. “Winning both national championships was pretty cool in and of itself,” Schott recalls. “After the championship game this past year, the team––we all got together at the end, and we prayed with the coaches and members of our community who came out and supported us. We just gave thanks to God for how He used our team that year and for the blessings He gave to our team … that was a standout moment.”

Mike Reed, her softball coach at UT Tyler, calls Schott “a true balance of excellence and kindness in everything she does. She has carried high expectations for herself and her teammates, leading with hard work and poise,” says Reed, who started the Patriots softball program in 2005. “Sam is so deserving of this honor of NCAA Woman of the Year, which exemplifies her ability to excel in all areas of sport, academics, leadership, and character.”

Schott can add “UT Tyler Patriot Golf Classic Scholar” to her list of academic successes. Since 1986, UT Tyler has hosted the Patriot Golf Classic, one of the university’s largest annual fundraisers benefiting UT Tyler student scholarships at its campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine, and Houston. Each year, deserving UT Tyler students are selected to receive scholarships through the PGC Student Scholarship Endowment Fund. Thanks to alumni, individuals, and businesses who donate to the Classic, UT Tyler has raised more than $2 million for the endowment.

She appreciates those individuals who support student scholarships and education in this way. “Their donation shows that we’re on the right path, and that there are people behind us supporting us,” Schott says of those who give to the fundraiser. “It’s just extra encouragement that we’re supported in this journey that’s not necessarily easy every day––but we’re being supported and encouraged on.”

Schott grew up in a sports-oriented family, and right off the bat, joined a little league softball team while in grade school. “My parents took me to all my practices and games, but they never forced me into it,” says Schott, who holds a UT Tyler bachelor’s degree in biology. “Sports were always big in the family. Softball––it was just sort of my thing.”

After graduating from Spring Hill High School in 2021, Schott chose UT Tyler because of its location and the legacy of the Patriot softball program. The decision, she says, arrived after much thought––and at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“That started my junior year of high school, and so recruiting everywhere was put on hold during COVID. I’d only been looking at schools in the Northeast then, and all the schools had to shut down,” Schott recalls, “and so, it made me question if I really wanted to go that far away from home. I had always known how successful the program was, so it was after COVID that I became interested in UT Tyler. When I finally toured the campus with Coach [Reed], I loved how inviting everyone was, and how beautiful the campus itself was. All the [softball] alumni talked so highly about the program as well.”

Schott’s dedication to both community service and helping people is equally as strong as her love of sports. She has served as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes speaker on campus. She also is active in her church and with Refuge International, a nonprofit Christian-based organization, based in Schott’s hometown of Longview, which supports medical missions worldwide. She supports community initiatives throughout the Rose City, like the East Texas Food Bank, and through Refuge, helps provide basic health care and surgical services to the people of Guatemala.

Her inspiration to give back stems from those who have paved the way in generosity. “Community is important,” she says. “Without the community, I wouldn’t have the opportunities I’ve had, so I want others to have the same opportunities.”

Schott continues her education, volunteerism, and Patriot story at UT Tyler as a first-year medical student in the School of Medicine’s Class of 2029. Thanks to the university, she’s also reaching her goal of becoming a doctor.

“I always had that inclination growing up, but it became a finalized goal for me when I attended the mission trips down in Guatemala,” Schott says. “School is great. It’s amazing getting to learn how God perfectly designed us, and I’m loving it.” As for a specialty, Schott is currently undecided. “I like general surgery, but it’s still early … my mind is open to everything,” she notes.

Schott offers the following advice to current and future UT Tyler students who find themselves on their own Patriot path. “School days can be long, and some days will be tougher than other days,” she says. “It’s a gift to attend school and pursue a degree. Not everyone gets to do what you’re doing. So, you have to treat every day like it’s a blessing, because it is.”

Patriot Softball Accomplishments

• 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year

• Elite 90 Award

• 2025 NFCA First Team All-South Central Region

• 2025 D2CCA First Team All-South Central Region

• 2025 CSC Academic All-District

• 2025 CSC First Team Academic All-American

• 2025 Lone Star Conference Scholar-Athlete Award

• 2025 Lone Star Conference Golden Glove

• 2025 Lone Star Conference All-Academic Team

• 2025 All-Lone Star Conference First Team

• 2024 Lone Star Conference Fred Jacoby Female Academic Athlete of the Year