CHICO, Calif – After completing an outstanding academic and athletic career for the Cougars, Cal State San Marcos senior women’s basketball student-athlete, Akayla Hackson, was voted the CCAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2021-22.
The award is voted on and selected by the Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs) from the Conference’s 12-member institutions, focusing on a student-athlete’s work in the classroom, in the community, and in their respective sport.
Hackson graduated from CSUSM this spring with a degree in Computer Science. Hackson is the first Cal State San Marcos student-athlete, male or female, to collect a CCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor.
“I am proud of Akayla and what she has accomplished as a scholar-athlete at CSUSM,” said Director of Athletics Jennifer Milo. “She has a very bright future ahead of her.”
15091The Sunnyvale native captured both the CCAA Player of the Year and CCAA Defensive Player of the Year honors this season while leading CSUSM to the CCAA regular-season championship. The Cougars posted a 20-game winning streak and earned their second consecutive No. 1 seed for the CCAA Tournament.
The senior power forward paced the conference in scoring (16.0 ppg) while shooting 44.8% from the field (fifth in CCAA). Hackson posted double-figures in 24 of 26 games, including seven games with 20 or more points. She also dished out 2.9 assists per game (eighth CCAA), grabbed 5.2 rebounds, and shot .810 percent from the free throw line (third CCAA).
In addition to her accolades on the court, Hackson also racked the academic awards during her time in San Marcos. She is a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree and a two-time D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award recipient. Hackson is also a three-time member of the CCAA All-Academic Team and the CCAA Winter Academic Honor Roll.
“From the moment that Akayla stepped on the campus at CSUSM in the fall of 2018, she has maintained a near-4.0 GPA and helped us win two CCAA regular-season titles,” Cal State San Marcos’ head women’s basketball coach Renee Jimenez said.” Akayla graduated with honors in the demanding degree field of computer science, and in the Fall of 2022, she will begin her master’s work at Stanford in electrical engineering.”
Hackson completed her career ranked second in CSUSM history in scoring (13.9) and assists (2.6), fifth in rebounds (3.9), and first in steals (1.7).
To be nominated for the CCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, individuals must have a 3.5 grade-point average or higher at a conference institution, complete their final season of eligibility, and participate in a CCAA-sponsored sport.
