Madi Morton, a member of the Elmira College women’s hockey team was named the 2023-24 Empire 8 Conference Co-Woman of the Year. This award honors a senior female student-athlete who has distinguished herself throughout her collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.
Morton is the second student-athlete from Elmira chosen as the conference’s Woman of the Year, joining former teammate Eliza Beaudin, who earned the honor in 2022.
Morton recently completed a tremendous four-year career as a defenseman on the nationally-ranked women’s ice hockey team, A native of Colorado Springs, CO, Morton graduated summa cum laude in 2024 with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.97 as a double major in psychology and human services.
A two-year captain, Morton helped lead Elmira to two New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) Tournament Championships in 2022 and 2024, a 2021 United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) Tournament Championship and three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. The Soaring Eagles finished 82-19-2 in Morton’s four seasons, including a 58-3-1 mark in conference play. Morton helped lead Elmira to the 2024 NCAA Division III Women’s Hockey Championship game and earned American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) First Team All-American honors.
“I feel so humbled and grateful to be named Empire 8 Co-Woman of the Year,” said Morton. “Being a member of Elmira College Women’s Hockey has been the single greatest opportunity and experience I’ve had as a student-athlete. Being able to sport the purple and gold each day, share the ice with my best friends, while growing as a player and person is such an invaluable experience. The joy and gratitude of my four-year experience could bring a grown woman to tears. I am eternally grateful to my family, my teammates, my coaches, and my professors who have helped mold me into the person that I am today. I could not have done any of this without their guidance, love, support, and dedication to me.”
Morton played in 103 games for the Soaring Eagles in her four-year career and recorded 69 points on 14 goals and 55 assists. She tallied seven power-play goals, four game-winning goals and was a plus-102. A model of consistency, Morton tallied at least 18 points in each of her last three seasons and was a career-best plus-27 in 2002-23.
“Madi exemplifies what it is to be a student-athlete at Elmira College,” said Greg Haney, Elmira Women’s Hockey Head Coach. “Her commitment to excellence has allowed herself to develop into a true leader on the ice and in our campus-community. She is a strong, confident, and caring woman who leaves a lasting impact on those around her. Madi is a perfect co-recipient of the Empire 8 Women of the Year.”
Academically, Morton earned Empire 8 President’s List honors in all eight semesters at Elmira, while earning four AHCA All-Academic Scholar honors. She was a three-time NEHC All-Academic Team selection. Morton was a Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Eta Sigma honor society member.
Most recently, Morton won the Helen Bosworth Beers ’24 Prize from Elmira College, awarded to a “junior or senior who in daily living supports religious principles, is a good student, and an outstanding citizen in the College.” She also completed the Soaring Higher Leadership program in 2023.
Off the ice, Morton excelled as a member of the Elmira community. She served as the President of the Active Minds Club for two years and was a two-year The Hidden Opponent Campus Captain. Morton hosted events to promote mental health, mindfulness, and well-being. Morton, in addition to her work with mental health, spent time in the theater. She was the student director and lead performer of the production of the Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler. In addition, she also performed and helped fund the poetry slam which was open to both the campus and Elmira community.
“I could not be prouder of Madi and her accomplishments,” said Rhonda Faunce, Elmira Director of Athletics. “Madi has meant everything to the Women’s Ice Hockey program at Elmira College. She provided continuity through her leadership during two coaching changes which allowed the team to never lose focus. Not only is she an outstanding player and student, but she was also instrumental on our campus in mental health awareness events. I feel honored to be able to have experienced some of her journey with her during the NCAA championship ride.”
Morton was named the 2024 Elmira College Female Outstanding Career Achievement award and 2024 Elmira College Female Athlete of the Year award. In addition, she was an Elite 90 award nominee.
“Madi created an incredible legacy at Elmira College in numerous ways,” said Empire 8 Senior Associate Commissioner Joe Venniro. “Earning All-American honors, while leading the Soaring Eagles to the 2024 NCAA Championship game is very impressive but is just a portion of what she also accomplished off the ice in the classroom and through her service to others in the Elmira community. Madi epitomizes leadership and will certainly excel in her future professional roles.”
Morton joins an elite group of student-athletes from across NCAA Division I, II and III nominated for the award. Established in 1991, the award recognizes female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers. She will also be forwarded to the national DIII Commissioner’s Association Senior Female Athlete of the Year award.
The committee will choose the top ten nominees in each division (I, II and III). From among those 30 honorees, the selection committee will determine the top three in each division. From those nine, the 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year will be chosen.
Morton and fellow co-winner Olivia Gilbert of Alfred University led a strong contingent of six outstanding nominees considered by the Empire 8 Woman of the Year Committee:
2023-24 Empire 8 Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year Finalists
Olivia Gilbert, Alfred University
Madi Morton, Elmira College
Julie Ruzzi, Hartwick College
Julia Holmes, Nazareth College
Delayne Young, St. John Fisher University
Angela Hawthorne, Utica University
