NEW YORK – The BIG EAST Conference announced Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards on Wednesday afternoon. Lauren Smith (Creighton) and David Goldsmith (Butler) took top honors and will be awarded a $4,000 scholarship which may be applied to graduate or professional studies. The conference also announced the female winners of the 2016-17 BIG EAST Institutional Scholar-Athlete Scholarships which includes Serina Kashimoto. Each institutional winner receives $2,000 toward graduate studies.
 
Kashimoto was sensational on and off the field during her four-year career at Butler. As a senior, Kashimoto led the team in goals (9), assists (7), points (25) and shots on goal (30). She was recognized as a First Team All-BIG EAST selection as well as a Second Team All-Northeast Region selection.
 
Kashimoto was placed on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch list during the 2016 campaign after earning Second Team All-America Honors at the completion of her junior season.
 
In the classroom Kashimoto graduated with a 3.547 grade point average, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in recreation and sports studies. She earned First Team Scholar All-Region and Second Team Scholar All-American honors in 2015. A two-time member of the BIG EAST All-Academic Team, Kashimoto was also named Second Team Senior Class All-America in 2016.
 
The Hiroshima, Japan native was also involved with the TOP Soccer Program for four years working with children that have physical and mental disabilities.
 
The conference will also announce a Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year on Feb. 28, preceding the league's tournament. The Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be announced at the awards press conference on March 8 at Madison Square Garden, preceding the Men's Basketball Tournament.
 
Twenty student-athletes (one male and one female from each of the BIG EAST's 10 member institutions) will be named as BIG EAST Institutional Scholar-Athlete award winners.
 
2016-17 BIG EAST Institutional Female Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Sunkist
 

School	Name, Sport(s)
Butler	Serina Kashimoto, Soccer
Creighton	Lauren Smith, Volleyball
DePaul	Yuliya Shupenia, Tennis
Georgetown	Grace Damasaka, Soccer
Marquette	Erin Holland, Soccer
Providence	Kristyn Shea, Soccer
St. John's	Grace Kramer, Softball
Seton Hall	Valierie Suto, Softball
Villanova	Angel Piccirillo, Track & Field
Xavier	Tori Doss, Soccer

 
BIG EAST Female Scholar-Athletes Of The Year Presented by Sunkist
 

Year	Name, School, Sport
1985	Leigh Curl, Connecticut, Basketball
1986	Joanne Keehs, Villanova, Track & Field
1987	Karen Ferreria, Providence, Volleyball
1988	Noreen Coughlin, Pittsburgh, Volleyball
1989	Vicki Huber, Villanova, Track & Field
1990	Siobhan Gallagher, Providence, Track & Field
1991	Cami White, Providence, Field Hockey
1992	Kelly Larkin, Syracuse, Field Hockey
1993	Nnenna Lynch, Villanova, Track & Field
1994	Allison Williams, Pittsburgh, Track & Field
1995	Becky Spies, Villanova, Cross Country/Track & Field
1996	Najuma Fletcher, Pittsburgh, Track & Field
1997	Jen Renola, Notre Dame, Soccer
1998	Charity Wachera, West Virginia, Track & Field
1999	Gladys Ganiel, Providence, Cross Country/Track & Field
2000	Jenny Streiffer, Notre Dame, Soccer
2001	Ruth Riley, Notre Dame, Basketball
2002	Jarrah Myers, Notre Dame, Softball
2003	Erin McIntyre, Rutgers, Swimming & Diving
2004	Vanessa Pruzinsky, Notre Dame, Soccer
2005	Nicole Lee, Georgetown, Cross Country/Track & Field
2006	Kelly Harrigan, Rutgers, Swimming & Diving
2007	Jessica Javelet, Louisville, Field Hockey
2008	Jillian Drouin, Syracuse, Track & Field
2009	Jennifer Kleinhans, Connecticut, Field Hockey
2010	Meagan Dooley, Pittsburgh, Volleyball
2011	Maya Moore, Connecticut, Basketball
2012	Natalie Kulla, Marquette, Soccer
2013	Sam Roecker, Providence, Cross Country/Track & Field
2014	Emily Sisson, Providence, Cross Country/Track & Field
2015	Shelbey Manthorpe, Seton Hall, Volleyball
2016	Rachel Daly, St. John's, Soccer
2017	Lauren Smith, Creighton, Volleyball